PORTLAND, Ore. – Este verano, CareOregon patrocina “Food Rx” (en español “Receta de Alimentos”), un programa piloto que inicia en Portland para los miembros del Oregon Health Plan (Plan Salud de Oregon). Los médicos de las clínicas seleccionadas pueden extender “recetas” por 15 dólares, para canjearla por alimentos que pueden ser adquiridos en un vehículo estacionado en la clínica.

Claro que no es común encontrar una tienda rodante aparcada en el estacionamiento del consultorio de un doctor, pero este caso se dio en mayo en algunas zonas de Portland. El vehículo se despliega hasta convertirse en una tienda de alimentos a la que acuden los pacientes con su Receta para Alimentos.

Esto es parte de “Food Rx”, un proyecto piloto de CareOregon que busca motivar a más personas de presupuestos bajos a que prefieran la comida sana. La consulta con el doctor incluye una “receta de alimentos” por 15 dólares, que al salir es canjeada por comida en el vehículo llamado “My Street Grocery” (Mis Abarrotes de la Calle).

Tom Wunderlick, gerente de políticas públicas de CareOregon, dice que hasta ahora la respuesta ha sido tan alentadora que incluso ha provocado algunas lágrimas de gratitud.

“Es como un progreso para mucha gente -explica-. Antes tuvieron consejos o educación sobre nutrición y esas cosas, pero tener al médico ahí, que esté ahí mismo en la clínica, realmente ayuda a destacar la importancia de eso y lo que significa para ellos.”

Comenta que “Food Rx” fue diseñado para romper el hielo de la conversación entre los profesionales de la salud y sus pacientes, acerca de la buena alimentación. Es un proyecto piloto de seis semanas, al cabo de las cuales CareOregon analizará los resultados y decidirá la mejor manera de continuarlo y expandirlo.

Para Rachael Postman, practicante de enfermería en Family Medicine, en Richmond, ha sido un complemento divertido para las consultas de los pacientes y un ángulo nuevo para hablar sobre condiciones críticas como la diabetes. Dice que la mayoría de la gente no lo piensa dos veces y corre a la tienda. Pero para muchos que tienen ingresos bajos o fijos, la movilidad es un reto y no siempre es un problema médico lo que limita su acceso a las opciones que ofrece la comida saludable.

“Muchos de nuestros amigos no tienen autos -señala-. Muchos trabajan en varios empleos para salir adelante; muchos son padres o madres solteros con varios hijos. Así que puede serles realmente difícil llegar físicamente a la tienda de alimentos.”

La Clínica Postman OHSU, en el vecindario Richmond, también invitó a los granjeros a que vendan sus productos en su estacionamiento, pero agrega que la tienda rodante es una manera adecuada de ofrecer más variedad de alimentos.



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After more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation.

Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose.

Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill which would open the door for what they say are more costly, but more powerful, antidotes.

"Given the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities, and how much stronger some of these drugs that we're now seeing are, we believe -- and in talking with others -- that there should be other tools to respond to an overdose," Hertel explained. "To make sure we're doing everything we can to save somebody's life."

Not everyone is on board with the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 542. Opponents argued the more expensive naloxone alternatives are not necessary, and using them would only increase profits for the pharmaceutical industry.

Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, said while the naloxone alternatives do help in overdose situations, they can also cause nasty side effects.

"The newer approaches, they put people into more severe withdrawal," Stoltman pointed out. "That's a pretty profound negative side effect. The one approach is very inexpensive and works great; the other approach is far more expensive and has this strong negative side effect."

Sponsors of the bill say they're hoping to give Michigan residents a chance to chime in on the issue in a public hearing sometime in June. Michigan saw more than 3,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2021.


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New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.

Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.

"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained

Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.

Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.

"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.

Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.

New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.

The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.

"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.

Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.

Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."

"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.

Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.