Health & Human Services
SCOTUS Preserves Medicaid Patients’ Right to Sue
Had the court ruled differently, it would have stripped millions of people who rely on federal assistance programs of the ability to sue states when their rights are violated. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Round
Why Address Confidentiality Programs Are Broken and How We Can Fix Them
COMMENTARY | To protect the privacy of at-risk people requires better regulations limiting data collection, stronger consumer rights and scalable solutions for removing personal information from the internet.
More States OK Postpartum Medicaid Coverage Beyond Two Months
At least eight states are moving to provide health coverage for up to a year after pregnancy under the program.The decisions to join 33 other states and Washington, D.C., come as policymakers recognize that the U.S. is in a maternal health crisis.
Federal Covid Changes Helped Feed Twice as Many Kids During Summer
Some advocates say the summer feeding programs could be more flexible even when there’s not a national emergency.
Senate Passes Debt Ceiling Bill, Approves New Work Requirements for Benefits
States will have to meet stricter rules for those receiving food stamps and welfare assistance. Some worry it will actually hamper states’ ability to help people get back to work.
Sponsor Content
New Tools Help State and Local Governments Battle Ransomware, Other Big Disasters
When governments find themselves being ransomed, their choices are typically to pay, which will undercut their ability to deliver key services to their communities due to budget restrictions, or not pay, resulting in the immediate inability to serve their communities and the loss of key data that will inevitably plague them for years afterwards.
Most People Who Inject Drugs Test Positive for Fentanyl
COMMENTARY | In a yearlong study, researchers found that a significant share of people in New York City who thought they were using heroin or another drug were actually using the illicit synthetic opioid.
The Pros and Cons of the Debt Deal for States and Localities
The deal doesn’t claw back billions of dollars promised under the infrastructure and climate laws, but it does keep federal spending flat and adds work requirements for food stamp recipients.
7% of the United States Is a ‘Play Desert’
COMMENTARY | Many of the counties lacking access to play areas were clustered in the Southeast and Southwest, and were most common in rural and suburban areas throughout the country.
New Initiative Will Help Cities Reduce Homelessness
The program will “embed” federal officials in six cities to help local officials get people off the streets and into homes more quickly.
With Summer Coming Fast, Regulator Warns of Electric Reliability Issues
A huge share of the continent could be in for a summer of electricity shortages in the event of severe, long-lasting heat.
State Lawmakers Eye Forced Treatment to Address Overlap in Homelessness and Mental Illness
Democratic politicians in California and Oregon are reconsidering the restrictions of involuntary commitment laws. They argue that not helping people who are seriously ill and living in squalor on the streets is inhumane.
One County’s Choice to Use Opioid Funds to Pay Off Debt
Greene County, Tennessee, so far has received more than $2.7 million from regional and national settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors. But most of the money is not going to help people and families harmed by addiction.
Featured eBooks
