Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
White House Tells 40 States To Nix LGBTQ+ Topics From Sex Ed
President Donald Trump鈥檚 administration this week told 40 states to eliminate parts of lessons that focus on LGBTQ+ issues from federally funded sexual education materials or that they will lose funding. The move is the latest in a line of efforts since Trump returned to the White House in January to recognize people as only male or female and to eliminate what he calls 鈥済ender ideology.鈥 鈥淔ederal funds will not be used to poison the minds of the next generation or advance dangerous ideological agendas,鈥 Acting Assistant Health and Human Service Secretary Andrew Gradison said in a statement. (Mulvihill, 8/29)
More health news from across the U.S. 鈥
In recent years, authorities in numerous states have reported people falsely claiming to be licensed nurses or working in positions that require a nursing license without valid credentials. Some regulatory bodies use the term 鈥渋mpostor nurse鈥 to refer to these individuals and maintain 鈥渋mpostor lists鈥 to try to prevent them from working in other states. The extent of the problem is not clear because there is no centralized database tracking reports of fake nurses. But state lists hint at the scale. (Timsit, 8/28)
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center has begun another multimillion-dollar expansion of its five-story patient pavilion. The expansion is set to double the 64 beds currently in use in that section of the hospital, Tom Manion, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center鈥檚 chief operating officer, said in a Thursday video interview. (Dunford, 8/29)
Gov. Matt Meyer vetoed a bill Thursday that would have loosened regulations around where marijuana businesses can locate in Delaware, likely further delaying the growth of the weeks-old industry. But the governor also offered a competing proposal on such zoning reforms, based upon revenue-sharing from marijuana sales with counties and municipalities 鈥 opening a new salvo in a contentious relationship with statehouse Democrats. (Owens, 8/29)
Florida has moved to allow limited veterinary use of a sedative frequently added to fentanyl. Attorney General James Uthmeier on Wednesday announced a filing to reclassify xylazine under state law to ensure the veterinary and agriculture industries can continue to access the drug for animal care. (9/1)
An effort is being launched in Florida to enhance the relationship between law enforcement and people with autism. Sandra Worth, founder and executive director of My Autism Connection, is collaborating with the Florida Sheriffs Association to implement an autism identification program. For Worth, the initiative hits close to home. (Andarge, 8/29)
A woman unexpectedly went into labor at the desert festival. Within minutes, a neonatal nurse, an OB-GYN, a pediatric doctor and other attendees filled her camper. (Petri, 8/29)