Health
U.S. senators criticize federal health officials for lagging monkeypox response
WASHINGTON — Congress held its first hearing on monkeypox Wednesday, with lawmakers rebuking federal public health officials for their slow response to the outbreak, even though the hearing came four months after the first U.S. case was diagnosed. “By any measure, in fact by every measure, the response from the Biden administration on the monkeypox […]
U.S. Senate Republicans shy away from proposed 15-week national abortion ban
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Republicans are skeptical about a 15-week nationwide abortion ban that GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham introduced Tuesday, with some saying they want to leave the issue to state lawmakers instead of taking it up in Congress. “I think most of the members of my conference prefer that this be dealt with at […]
Biden pitches ‘moonshot’ to cut the number of cancer deaths in half
WASHINGTON — Hoping to channel the momentum that led scientists to land Americans on the moon more than 50 years ago, President Joe Biden doubled down Monday on his quest to halve the number of cancer deaths as part of his revamped “cancer moonshot” initiative. Speaking from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum […]
Long COVID is costing Idaho thousands of full-time workers, data suggest
An estimated 7.8% to 10.5% of all Idaho adults were suffering from the aftereffects of COVID-19 infections this summer, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Those estimates are based on Idahoans’ self-reported experiences with COVID-19 and “long COVID,” in a new round of surveys the bureau rolled out between June and August. […]
GOP balks at White House request for billions for public health, natural disasters, Ukraine
WASHINGTON — Republicans in Congress are lukewarm about providing $47 billion in new emergency spending for the ongoing Ukrainian war against Russia’s invasion, COVID-19 and monkeypox public health campaigns, and to help states recover from natural disasters. GOP senators, who have returned to Washington, D.C., after Congress’ summer break, aren’t so sure the Biden administration’s […]
New fight opens in Congress over VA policy that sidesteps state abortion bans
WASHINGTON — Democrats in the U.S. Senate are confident the Department of Veterans Affairs can implement a new policy that allows its doctors to provide abortions when the pregnancy threatens the patient’s life or health, or when it’s the result of rape or incest. The VA announced the new policy last week to cheers from […]
New government tool shows Idaho and other states’ climate-related risks, projections
The White House unveiled a new website Thursday intended to provide local and state governments and businesses with information about climate-driven events and data, including real-time information about droughts, floods, wildfires and extreme heat. The web-based tool, called Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation, contains information about current climate trends and projections through 2099, including […]
Idaho Legislature asks federal court to reconsider abortion ruling
The Idaho Legislature is asking District Judge B. Lynn Winmill to amend the order partially blocking Idaho’s abortion trigger ban or vacate the order entirely, according to a motion filed by attorneys for the Legislature on Wednesday night. Winmill granted a pause two weeks ago on the Idaho law banning nearly all abortions as it […]
Ambiguous Idaho abortion laws that misunderstand pregnancy care will cause harm to patients
Promoting health is the mission of my work as an obstetrician/gynecologist. Practicing medicine in Idaho, I fear for my patients and for my peers in the medical community. New government mandates restricting access to reproductive health care in Idaho will harm pregnant people and physicians. Misconceptions abound in these laws. Spontaneous abortion (more commonly called […]
Here’s where you can get the omicron COVID-19 boosters in Idaho
For Idahoans who have received their initial round of COVID-19 vaccines, the omicron-targeting booster is here. Where can you get it? The same places you usually get your annual flu shot. Major pharmacy chains such as Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid and Albertsons pharmacies are booking appointments and administering the booster dose. Same-day appointments are available. […]
Bundy, Rodriguez fail to show up for court hearing — again — in St. Luke’s lawsuit
Ammon Bundy and Diego Rodriguez seemed to be testing the limits of the judicial system Tuesday, as they continued to ignore a judge’s order and didn’t show up in court for the second time in a lawsuit brought by St. Luke’s Health System. Gesturing to an empty defendant’s bench Tuesday afternoon, an attorney for St. […]
Public health advisory issued for Lake Lowell after cyanobacteria detected in water
Officials with Southwest District Health have issued a public health advisory for Lake Lowell after detecting high concentrations of a toxin-producing cyanobacteria in water samples. The cyanobacteria can be harmful to people, pets and livestock, so public health officials are advising people and their pets to stay out of the water, including avoiding swimming and […]