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A review of state records, court documents and department policies, as well as interviews with frontline employees working in the state, reveal a dysfunctional developmental disability system riddled of accusations of abuse, neglect, and in some cases, concerning deaths. From 2017 through 2023, 74 people with developmental disabilities died in some sort of accident while in state care, according to state records obtained by the River City Journalism Fund. Additionally, nine homicides and seven suicides occurred amongst this population during that time, according to the records. Another 2,200 died of natural causes and 392 had an “undetermined” cause of death. (Skipworth, 2/24)

Rising health costs are squeezing states' budgets to the point where some are considering raising premiums for hundreds of thousands of teachers and public employees for the first time in more than a decade. (Goldman, 2/25)

The state has paused plans to close Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children in Canton, and the Pocasset Mental Health Center in Bourne following outcry from the community. Gov. Maura Healey said she wants to hear from patients, families and workers before a final decision is made. (2/24)

Texans living in a 250-square-mile area of Harris County that includes a hazardous Superfund site had abnormally high rates of certain types of cancer, according to a new assessment from the state’s health department. (Martinez, 2/24)

A former Stanford University research coordinator is facing up to 21 years in federal prison after being convicted last week of illegally accessing and altering a breast cancer database hours after she was fired, prosecutors said Monday. Naheed Mangi, 66, was convicted of two counts of intentional damage to a protected computer and one count of accessing a protected computer without authorization, according to the U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of California. Her sentencing is scheduled for July 21. (Parker, 2/24)

Last month, the state health department announced $13 million in funding to open four new community mental health crisis facilities in Lenoir, New Hanover and Pitt counties by the end of the year. This is one of a flurry of new mental health initiative announcements from the state Department of Health and Human Services that have come as a result of a $835 million investment for behavioral health needs included in the 2023 state budget. (Knopf, 2/25)

Duval County has long trailed its urban peers in the state when it comes to producing proficient third-grade readers. Rather than waiting for children to arrive in school to create a culture of literacy and reading, the nonprofit Kids Hope Alliance plans to use a $5.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Treasury to place books in the hands of mothers almost immediately after they give birth. (Brown, 2/24)

�鶹Ů�� Health News: Opioid Cash Grab: As Federal Funding Dries Up, States Turn To Settlement Money

At a recent Nevada legislative committee hearing, lawmakers faced off with members of the governor’s administration over how to fill gaping holes in the state’s upcoming budget. At issue: whether opioid settlement money — paid by health care companies that were sued for fueling the opioid crisis and meant to help states abate addiction — should be funneled to two counties for a safety-net program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, which is aimed at helping low-income children and families. (Pattani, 2/25)