The Biden administration has finalized a rule that will expand health care coverage to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, who will now fall into the "lawfully present" category.

In Wyoming, the tourist economy in Jackson Hole attracts immigrants looking for work.

It's hard to pin down how many of those people are in the DACA program, but some estimates say immigrants make up a quarter of the regional population - according to Alin Yuriko Badillo Carrillo, director of immigrant leadership with Voices Jackson Hole, an organization that amplifies immigrant voices.

She said immigrants work many jobs vital to tourist hotspots.

"Service industry and housekeeping, restaurant services, construction," said Badillo Carrillo, "a lot of the heavy lifting to ensure our community keeps on running."

More than a half-million DACA recipients are currently in the United States, according to Immigration Services, and they are three times more likely to be uninsured than the general population.

The DACA program, started in 2012, gives protections to certain undocumented immigrants arriving to the U.S. as children.

But before now, those protections haven't included access to health coverage through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace or the Basic Health Program.

Badillo Carrillo herself is a DACA recipient, and said the benefits of health coverage are far-reaching.

"Not just for me, but I think it's a communal benefit," said Badillo Carrillo. "If I have access to preventive care and access to medical care, then I'll be able to be healthier, and to help others also."

The rule goes into effect November 1, at the same time the enrollment period begins.

The Food and Drug Administration has advised makers of the COVID-19 vaccine to formulate the next dosage to fight the JN.1 strain of the virus.

JN.1 was first discovered in the U.S. in September, and researchers said it is similar to previous strains but spreads easier and faster. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, JN.1 accounted for 3.5% of COVID cases in November and the number jumped to 85% of cases in January.

Ben Neuman, professor of biology at Texas A&M University, said getting vaccinated is still the best way to avoid getting sick.

"It would be important, I would say, to get the updated vaccine as soon as it is available," Neuman advised. "It may not prevent infection completely, but it is, very much, the best hedge against dying of COVID."

He said, on average, about 500 people a week are still dying from the virus.

Other COVID strains, known as KP.2 and KP.3, are also circulating, part of what are called the "FLiRT" variants. The FDA considered having makers formulate the new vaccine to target KP.2 and KP.3 but chose to concentrate on JN.1 because it is spreading more quickly. Symptoms of the FLiRT mutations include fever, sore throat and a runny nose. Researchers said the strains are highly immune resistant, making breakthrough cases possible.

Neuman pointed out some doctors believe a two-dose vaccine would provide more protection for the public because COVID is constantly changing.

"We have an immune system which is learning to recognize the virus and kills off all of the viruses it can recognize," Neuman explained. "This pushes the virus to change possibly a little faster than it would otherwise, if we had no immune system. So as long as there is COVID, there will be new variants."

If you have outdated COVID tests in your medicine cabinet, Neuman added they could still be used to detect portions of the strains which have not changed over the time, but he strongly suggested using updated tests because the virus continues to mutate.


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A North Carolina woman is highlighting how important knowing your family history can be in matters of the heart.

According to the American Heart Association, the risk of heart disease itself, as well as some of the risk factors, are strongly linked to family history.

Latoya Tyree-Brown, a North Carolina heart disease survivor, said her heart-health challenges began at age 32. She noticed unusual symptoms but doctors initially dismissed them as a side effect of her third pregnancy.

"During the pregnancy, I was having a lot of difficulties with breathing and gaining a lot of weight," Tyree-Brown recounted. "But I was being told by my doctor that it was due to being pregnant."

She recalled being told she had a heart murmur when attempting to play sports in school, a complication which escalated to congestive heart failure during labor. Today, her message to others is to communicate with your family about health issues, get regular medical checkups and seek support when you need it, for both physical and mental health.

After giving birth, Tyree-Brown also suffered a stroke, which left her in the hospital for a week. She pointed out the recovery process was arduous, involving speech therapy and taking a significant emotional toll.

"I was just sad, a lot of questions like, 'Why is this happening to me? What's going on?' Because I felt that I was physically fit and healthy," Tyree-Brown emphasized. "I was just wondering, like, 'How is all this stuff happening to me?'"

She learned her family history was a key factor. Her father had a heart transplant, though details were sparse due to his passing when she was young. Ultimately, she was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure.

It prompted Tyree-Brown to undergo genetic testing for her children. Her middle daughter, now 19, tested positive for the same heart conditions and has received cardiology care since her early teens. Both mother and daughter now have defibrillators to manage their condition.

Tyree-Brown added her focus now is on the importance of self-advocacy and knowing how family history can affect you.

"You know your body the best, so even if other people are telling you that nothing's wrong or it might not be this or that, you should try to also get a second opinion," Tyree-Brown urged. "And just don't take 'no' for an answer."

American Heart Association data show heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.

Maine lawmakers have approved a full expansion of the state's Medicare Savings Plans, ensuring continued eligibility for some 45,000 low-income seniors.

The plans are included in the state's supplemental budget, which Gov. Janet Mills is expected to sign despite her efforts to rein in spending.

Kate Ende, policy director with Consumers for Affordable Healthcare, said beneficiaries can save a minimum of $2,000 a year.

"That can make a huge difference, never mind if somebody's getting help with their deductibles, and copays, and coinsurance as well," said Ende. "So, it can be really life-changing for people."

Ende said Maine's Medicare Savings Plans are considered one of the most expansive in the country - and that eligible residents aged sixty-five and older can already reap the benefits, and retain more of their Social Security earnings by avoiding out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

Maine has one of the oldest populations in the nation, and older adults now represent the fastest growing homeless population.

It's estimated some 45,000 seniors in Maine experience food insecurity and struggle to meet other basic needs.

Ende said reducing healthcare costs for seniors not only improves their overall well-being, but can create positive outcomes for both families and the state's economy.

"You know when somebody can afford their prescription drugs to stay healthy," said Ende, "they might be able to stay in the workforce or help care for a grandchild. So, it's going to have, I think, a much broader impact."

Ende said legislative changes now ensure older individuals earning up to 250% of the federal poverty level, or roughly $34,000 a year, are eligible for the Medicare Savings Plans.

There is new information on eligibility requirements on the Consumers for Affordable Healthcare's hotline at 1-800-965-7476.