Page 7 - Senior Issues News Today

Some Pennsylvania patients with long-term chronic illnesses are hoping to make legal headway, allowing them to seek medical aid in dying across state lines. Andrea Sealy, a patient advocate and cancer patient who has endured a double mastectomy, more than 10 surgeries and multiple rounds of radiation, lives just 10 minutes from New Jersey and would prefer to have choices in death should she need them. Sealy noted she lives a full a life, but if her health declines, she does not want legal stip...

The funding gap between the states poorest and wealthiest school districts is widening, with potentially dire consequences for students and communities, according to new data from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy. Jason Bailey, executive director of the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy explains year after year, state budgets passed by lawmakers have eroded the amount of money that goes into the formula to help equalize school funding. He added now, the gap between rich and poor schoo...

A new report analyzes salary data and the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has on the workforce of child-welfare, juvenile-justice and childrens mental and behavioral health organizations across Pennsylvania. The report provides an overview of the industrys compensation structure from entry-level positions through executive positions. Abigail Wilson, director of child welfare, juvenile-justice and education services for the Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth and Family Services explained her g...

Even with extensive caregiving experience, Patti LaFleur was unprepared for the crisis that hit in April 2021, when her mother, Linda LaTurner, fell out of a chair and broke her

Research shows that members of "Generation Z" - now in their teens to mid-20s - are almost twice as likely to struggle with mental health issues as other generations. They are also more likely to talk about it. This increased awareness of mental health may ultimately lead to an increased need for support when it comes to school, healthcare and jobs. ...

Health policy experts are highlighting a multitude of concerns regarding Floridas Medicaid Redetermination process, claiming it results in a lack of coverage for eligible children and families. During a media call on Tuesday, advocates argued despite the Florida Department of Children and Families stated plan to manage the unwinding of the public health emergency, the reality has been marked by chaos and confusion. Official data released in late July by the U.S. ...

By Leah Shepard / Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan reporting for the Kent State-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. In Ohio, 13 of 88 counties are maternity care deserts, affecting approximately 97,000 women, according to data provided by March of Dimes.  A county is classified as a maternity care desert if there are no hospitals providing obstetric care, no birth centers, no OB-GYN’s and no certified nurse midwives, according to March of Dimes. Bianca Zarders, maternal an...

A law shortening the waiting period for medical aid in dying has led to a 47% jump in prescriptions for the medication - according to a new report from the California Department of Public Health. In 2021, lawmakers amended the End of Life Option Act to cut the mandatory waiting period between the two required oral requests for the medication from 15 days down to 48 hours. Samantha Trad, national director of advocacy with the group Compassion & Choices, said the change provided relief to ...

Progress Iowa has launched a website, allowing people to track federal money spent on critical projects in the state. The group aims to make it easier to search for this information in one place. Matt Sinovic, executive director of the group, said the first-of-its-kind resource, IowaAtWork.com, allows Iowans to see online exactly where federal tax dollars are being spent in their state. ...

The federal government is strengthening rules aimed at protecting miners from silica dust exposure, the toxic dust driving the resurgence of black lung disease. The proposed rule would require mine operators to limit miners exposure to respirable crystalline silica at or below 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air for a full eight-hour shift exposure. Courtney Rhoades Mullins, black lung organizer, Appalachian Citizens Law Center black lung organizer, explained miners inhale silica dust cutting...