Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
$1 Million In Tax Dollars Will Support West Virginia Anti-Abortion Centers
A West Virginia coalition that helps support a network of anti-abortion pregnancy centers in the state is receiving $1 million in taxpayer dollars to distribute to organizations committed to encouraging people not to end their pregnancies. The West Virginia Pregnancy Center Coalition has been selected to manage the new West Virginia Mothers and Babies Support Program, the state department of health and human resources announced this week. (Willingham, 12/1)
Tennessee鈥檚 decades-old aggravated prostitution statute violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday after an investigation, warning that the state could face a lawsuit if officials don鈥檛 immediately cease enforcement. Tennessee is the only state in the United States that imposes a lifetime registration as a 鈥渧iolent sex offender鈥 if convicted of engaging in sex work while living with HIV, regardless of whether the person knew they could transmit the disease. (Kruesi, 12/1)
State officials are warning of two alarming trends in the deaths of Missouri children: increasing numbers of infants suffocated during sleep, and children accidentally poisoned by fentanyl. The findings from 2022 were released this week in the annual Missouri Child Fatality Review Program report compiled by the Missouri Department of Social Services. (Munz, 12/3)
Colorado鈥檚 uninsured rate 鈥 the percentage of people without health care coverage 鈥 hit an all-time low this year, but federal policy changes mean it鈥檚 unclear whether that success can last. (Ingold, 12/2)