Q&A: Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin on protecting children
Aaron Kunkler | Feb 18, 2022 | Oregon
Oregon Democrats highlight four bills they support
Aaron Kunkler | Feb 18, 2022 | Oregon
Oregon lawmakers consider bill to head off Medicaid disenrollments
Aaron Kunkler | Feb 15, 2022 | Oregon
Two opioid bills work their way through Washington's legislature
Aaron Kunkler | Feb 15, 2022 | Washington
Report: Tracking health care spending in WA
Aaron Kunkler | Feb 14, 2022 | Washington
A new report from the Washington Health Alliance examines total cost of care of health care spending, providing a valuable window into where health care dollars are going. The report examines total costs of care by analyzing what was spent to deliver health care services to Washington residents. It compares
Oregon bill on behavioral health worker retention clears committee
Aaron Kunkler | Feb 14, 2022 | Oregon
A bill designed to improve behavioral health staff retention in Oregon took another step as it was referred to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means on Feb. 10. The bill, HB 4004, would direct the Oregon Health Authority to administer a grant program to allow behavioral health care providers
Murkowski introduces suicide prevention bill
Aaron Kunkler | Feb 14, 2022 | Alaska
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R - AK), along with Sen. Jacky Rosen (D - NV), introduced a bill that would allow direct federal funding for school districts to promote student mental health and suicide prevention efforts. The bill is known as the Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Act, and would
Insurers reminded they must cover contraceptives
Aaron Kunkler | Feb 10, 2022 | Washington
Insurance plans are required to cover contraceptive care without cost sharing, whether or not a service or produce is identified in the current FDA Birth Control Guide. That's according to new joint guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor, and Treasury Department. Insurance companies
Washington's outdoor mask mandate will end Feb. 18
Aaron Kunkler | Feb 9, 2022 | Washington
At a press conference on Feb. 9, Gov. Jay Inslee announced he would lift the outdoor mask mandate by Feb. 18. The decision was prompted by a rapid decline in COVID-19 cases, as the omicron wave continues to break, which is projected to continue over the next several weeks. Inslee
Alaska COVID cases, while still high, are declining
Aaron Kunkler | Feb 9, 2022 | Alaska
Alaska is experiencing the highest rate of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents seen anywhere in the country, even as overall cases continue to decline. According to the state’s COVID dashboard, cases for the week beginning Feb. 2 were 36% lower than the previous week, with mid-January marking the highwater mark