Mental Health / Public News Service

A report from the Center for Children and Families at Georgetown University showed 23.3% of women of childbearing age in rural areas are covered by Medicaid. (pressmaster/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

TX health care advocates say changes to Medicaid could affect expectant mothers

As members of Congress debate changes to Medicaid, advocates in Texas who work with people covered by the plan are concerned about potential …

On average, women who live in rural Illinois will travel more than 17 miles for care. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Report: Medicaid cuts risk maternity care for rural Illinois

In Illinois, more than one in five rural women of childbearing age rely on Medicaid for health coverage, according to the Georgetown University …

Women of childbearing age make up nearly 20% of Alaska's population. Many live in areas not accessible by road, leaving them vulnerable to a loss of critical medical care under proposed cuts to federal social service programs, such as Medicaid. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Report: Medicaid cuts would hobble rural Alaska health care

Proposed cuts to Medicaid would put hospitals in jeopardy in rural states, where health care services are already scarce, according to new research …

Some experts said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker's order protecting the medical data of state residents reinforces the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, which safeguards American's health information. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

IL is 1st state to restrict federal access to autism-related data

Illinois is the first state to block the federal government from accessing state data on autism. The order, signed by Gov. JB Pritzker last week…

Last week, patients, providers and advocates rallied against Medicaid cuts in front of Dignity Health Mercy Hospital in Folsom, Calif. (CCHI)

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Advocates warn proposed Medi-Cal cuts could harm rural maternity care

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is hashing out last-minute details of a huge funding bill which could come to a floor vote this wee…

Experts on decluttering and downsizing say increasingly storing household items in your garage is

Monday, May 19, 2025

Why your spring cleaning should include saying goodbye to clutter

A lot of households might have junk piles on their kitchen counter or an overflowing storage room. A North Dakota expert says to avoid stress that …

More than half of Tennessee children receive health care through the state's Medicaid program, TennCare. (N Lawrenson/Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Budget cuts to Medicaid, SNAP would 'devastate' TN communities

As Congress debates a host of federal budget cuts, groups advocating for lower-income Tennessee families said the state will not be able to handle …

A form of dementia, Alzheimer's disease is primarily caused by the build up of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain. The proteins bind together and cause

New research shows most Nebraskans want to know their Alzheimer's status

Four of five Americans surveyed want to know if they face a future with Alzheimer's disease before symptoms arise, according to the latest …

A new study recommended California require health insurers and health systems to invest more in primary care, to make it easier for people to find a provider nearby and get an appointment quickly. (Mirifadapt/Adobe Stock)

Study: Preventable hospitalization rates in CA higher for Medi-Cal patients

A new study showed in 2022, more than 240,000 hospitalizations in California could have been prevented with proper outpatient care. Researchers said …

As House Republicans examine Medicaid cuts, AZ advocates urge otherwise

U.S. House Republicans are looking to cut Medicaid spending, imposing new restrictions on beneficiaries, and Arizona advocates are urging Congress to …

According to the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, Medicaid covers about 30% of children, many people with disabilities, and one in two nursing-home residents. (Adobe Stock)

Medicaid cuts come into focus, with unique challenges possible for SD

The Congressional Budget Office estimates roughly 8 million people could lose Medicaid coverage under a new House Republican plan. There are renewed …

Nearly 100% of student leaders identified academic pressure as a chief stressor, according to a new report.

Report: WI youth mental health struggles at all-time high

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the latest state data show the number of Wisconsin youth who are struggling with their mental health has spik…

Housing First programs provide rapid access to housing and care teams connect people to employment opportunities, medical and mental health care, and substance-use treatment but the services are not required or used as a punitive tool. (Adobe Stock)

Homeless advocates say Common Sense Institute report misses the mark

A new report on homelessness in Colorado released by the Common Sense Institute has come under fire for muddying the waters for lawmakers and other st…

The Indiana Department of Corrections Offender Population Statistical Report shows 7114 adult males are on parole as of March 2025. (Adobe Stock)

IN housing facility helps with transition from prison to society

In Indiana, the transition from prison back to society can be anything but smooth. Many people released don't have a place to live and have …

Some reports suggest the Pentagon will look at medical records to see if service members have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. (Adobe Stock)

Trump admin to begin transgender military ban after court ruling

The Pentagon will begin removing transgender troops from the military after the Supreme Court ruled last week that a ban could be enforced as lawsuits…

The report found, youth mental health hospitalizations increased 61% over the past decade, with suicide now the second leading cause of death among adolescents aged 10 to 14. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio voices call for early mental health support

As youth mental health challenges rise and federal restructuring threatens key programs, former Ohio Gov. and 2016 Republican presidential candidate …

Memory, language, and thinking problems are the first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, followed by changes in a patient's personality or behavior, such as apathy, confusion and increased suspicion and fear. (Adobe Stock)

More Hoosiers facing Alzheimer's diagnoses as caregiver costs rise

A new study showed costs are rising for caring for Hoosiers with Alzheimer's disease and forms of dementia. The report indicated nearly 122,000 …

More than 180,000 Iowans gained Medicaid coverage when the state enrolled in an optional expansion in 2013, part of the Affordable Care Act. (Adobe Stock)

Threatened Medicaid cuts would hobble Iowa's child-care workforce

A new report by the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families said the Trump administration's proposed cuts to Medicaid would hobble Iowa…

Ohio ranks eighth nationally in the number of children in rural communities who rely on Medicaid for health coverage, with 30% of rural kids enrolled. (Adobe Stock)

Health coverage holds up Ohio’s child care

Ohio's child care system is under strain and a new national report highlighted how Medicaid helps support the workforce behind early childhood care…

As of 2023, half of likely undocumented immigrant adults and one in five lawfully present immigrant adults reported being uninsured, compared with less than one in 10 naturalized citizens and U.S.-born citizen adults, according to KFF. (Adobe Stock)

AZ hospitals could be required to ask patients about legal status

State lawmakers in Arizona are considering legislation to mandate hospitals to ask patients whether they are in the country legally. Rep. John …

Eduardo Mata Montessori in Dallas received a technology award package valued at $1,000, which included their choice of tech

National program makes sure TX students are technology ready

Across Texas, 63 schools are participating in a Parent Teacher Association digital literacy program known as "PTA Connected: Ready, Tech, Go!." The …

Experts say social, economic, personal and environmental factors are the major influences on a person's well-being. They hope families keep these things in mind, especially mental health, when assessing the state of their household. (Adobe Stock)

Checking underneath the 'family wellness' hood

May is Family Wellness Month, and Minnesota households are encouraged to work on goals beyond the surface level of success. One expert said family …

Nebraska health care providers grapple with binge drinking

Mental health counselors focused on Nebraska's high rate of binge drinking during Alcohol Awareness Month, which just wrapped up. Alcohol abuse is …

Service dogs can help with mobility and access, object retrieval, reminders and medical alerts, among other things. (Adobe Stock)

Service dogs trained behind bars in WV transform lives, inside and out

With demand for assistance dogs on the rise, people in two West Virginia prisons are getting involved in their training. At Saint Marys Correctional …

Some 56,000 military members, veterans and their families in Virginia are dually enrolled in military health insurance and Medicaid. (Adobe Stock)

Medicaid cuts could impact veterans in VA, report finds

As Republican lawmakers in Washington, D.C., consider cuts to Medicaid, a new report has found thousands of veterans in Virginia could be affected…

Assembly Bill 55 would make it easier for birthing centers to accept Medi-Cal, which would expand options for new families. (Bosotochka/Adobe Stock)

Bills aim to strengthen CA health care as Congress considers cuts

Groups advocating for better access to health care have introduced what they call "Care4All California," a package of 13 bills designed to shore up th…

In Illinois, counties cover the operational costs of juvenile detention centers, while the state reimburses for staffing at more than $40 million per year. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed bills would curb jailing of children in IL

Two bills aimed at reforming the juvenile justice system in Illinois are close to becoming law. Senate Bill 1784 proposes raising the age of …

Residents of rural communities rely on Medicaid more than do their urban counterparts because of lower incomes, fewer private insurance options and higher unemployment rates. (ISKPRODUCTION/Adobe Stock)

GOP budget cuts to Medicaid could fray NM's safety net

Medicaid is a lifeline for many of New Mexico's families, making it one of six states that could be severely affected by cuts Congressional …

Advocates from Compassion & Choices attended a hearing for Senate Bill 403 before the State Senate Committee on Health on April 23. (Patricia Portillo/Compassion & Choices)

Legislative hearing today on bill to extend End of Life Option Act

A bill to make medical aid in dying permanently legal in California goes before the state Senate Judiciary Committee today. The End of Life Option …

Ohio Department of Children & Youth reports more than 15,000 children are in foster care in Ohio - and nearly a quarter have complex needs that make finding the right placement especially challenging. (Adobe Stock)

Hope and healing in Ohio's foster system

As Ohio approaches National Foster Care Month in May, one family's journey highlights how therapeutic foster care can change lives. A 12-year-old …

Around 85% of first responders in the United States report experiencing symptoms related to mental health. (Adobe Stock)

Montana bill could cover PTSD treatment for first responders

A bill headed to the Montana governor's desk would qualify post-traumatic stress disorder under workers' compensation for the state's first responders…

Medi-Cal pays for a range of health services in schools, including aides and equipment for disabled students. (Ermolaev Alexandr/Adobe Stock)

Advocates warn proposed cuts to Medi-Cal will cripple school budgets

Medicaid is in the crosshairs, as Republicans in Congress are expected to lay out proposals in May to cut $1.5 trillion from the federal budget…

Reduced federal funding for Medicaid would lead to widespread coverage losses and tens of thousands of avoidable deaths each year, according to the Center for American Progress. (Adobe Stock)

West Virginia Senators push Medicaid cuts

Many residents of West Virginia are at risk of losing health care under a federal proposal to cut Medicaid funding by $880 billion. Sen. Jim Justice…

Research suggests a connection between seasonal inflammation and depression. (Adobe Stock)

Springtime can worsen depression, expert says

Budding flowers, warmer temperatures and longer days are welcome signs to many in Maryland after the long, dark months of winter. Some people might …

A report from the mental health advocacy organization Inseparable found Delaware has met 61.3% of its goal of hiring school psychologists but has fallen far short on hiring school-based social workers. (Adobe Stock)

Report: DE makes strides bolstering school mental health

A new report showed Delaware is making strides in building its school mental health services. The report found the state has expanded its ratio of …

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound found in more than 200 species of mushrooms that has psychedelic effects, according to research by Oregon State University. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa considers broadening psilocybin use

The Iowa Legislature is weighing a measure to expand the use of psychedelic mushrooms to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental and emo…

A nationwide poll reveals that mental health is a priority for Americans, regardless of political party, with 90% of voters saying expanding mental-health care should be a priority for elected officials. (JenkoAtaman/Adobe Stock)

Report card: PA making steady improvements in student mental health

Pennsylvania is making progress in supporting youth mental health, according to a new report from Inseparable. The state now has about half the …

One poll finds a vast majority of Americans, regardless of political affiliation, support increased mental health services in schools. (Adobe Stock)

Report: MD makes improvements in school mental health services

A new report finds that Maryland has made progress in providing school mental health services to its students but work still remains. The report by …

New Jersey only has half of the recommended minimum number of school social workers, and three-fourths of the recommended minimum number of school psychologists. (Adobe Stock)

NJ improves in school-based mental health policies

A new report finds that states like New Jersey have made progress in providing school mental health services to its students, but work still remains…

According to a 2024 report from Mental Health America, Wyoming ranked 51st in the nation for adult mental health and 28th for youth. (Adobe Stock)

Wyoming K-12 mental-health coordination program nears expiration

Wyoming consistently ranks in the bottom 10 of all states on mental health indicators. COVID-era funding has helped provide resources but it is …

The report found Washington needs to almost double its number of school psychologists in order to meet the recommended minimum. (peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

WA investments in school mental-health services slowly helping

Washington has done well enacting some policies that improve school mental-health systems in the last year, while still falling short in other areas…

Colorado's I Matter program can connect students with a therapist for up to six free counseling sessions, which are completely confidential. (Adobe Stock)

Report card: Colorado making improvements in student mental health

Colorado has made significant improvements in connecting young people with the mental health care they need, according to the mental health advocacy …

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half of all serious mental health conditions begin by the age of 14 and 75% by age 24. (Adobe Stock)

Alaska lawmakers work to improve in-school mental health care

A new report card on in-school mental health services found some states, including Alaska, are making significant progress toward meeting policy …

Illinois was one of the first states to implement annual mental health screenings in schools. (Adobe Stock)

IL school mental health investments leave gaps in provider ratios

Despite making major policy strides to strengthen school-based mental health services for Illinois students, a national report card showed the state …

Utah is meeting the nationally recommended standard for minimum number of school mental health staff, according to the mental health policy advocacy organization Inseparable. (Adobe Stock)

Report: UT fares well in offering school mental health resources

Utah has made investments in mental health resources for school-age children a priority and they appear to be working to help more kids in crisis…

Among Nebraska's 93 counties, 88 are designated mental health care provider shortage areas, according to the Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations. (Adobe Stock)

Nebraska mental health advocates push back on funding cuts

Nebraska lawmakers are considering a bill to ensure managed health care companies cannot limit the state reimbursement rate for mental health service …

Facilities are required to inform patients or residents that they may designate an advocate. (Adobe Stock)

'Never Alone Act' seeks to ensure patients have in-person advocates

By Lauren Cohen / Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi reporting for the Kent State NewsLab-Ohio News Connection Collaboration. When Derek Calkins …

Florida is one of 16 states not requiring annual mental health screenings in schools, according to the advocacy group Inseparable. (Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio)

Report: FL schools face mental-health staffing shortfalls

Florida schools still face critical mental health staffing shortages with less than 25% of needed psychologists in place, despite expanding …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - May 22, 2025

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Mental Health

TX health care advocates say changes to Medicaid could affect expectant mothers

Report: Medicaid cuts risk maternity care for rural Illinois

Report: Medicaid cuts would hobble rural Alaska health care

IL is 1st state to restrict federal access to autism-related data

Advocates warn proposed Medi-Cal cuts could harm rural maternity care

Why your spring cleaning should include saying goodbye to clutter

Budget cuts to Medicaid, SNAP would 'devastate' TN communities

New research shows most Nebraskans want to know their Alzheimer's status

Study: Preventable hospitalization rates in CA higher for Medi-Cal patients

As House Republicans examine Medicaid cuts, AZ advocates urge otherwise

Medicaid cuts come into focus, with unique challenges possible for SD

Report: WI youth mental health struggles at all-time high

Homeless advocates say Common Sense Institute report misses the mark

IN housing facility helps with transition from prison to society

Trump admin to begin transgender military ban after court ruling

Ohio voices call for early mental health support

More Hoosiers facing Alzheimer's diagnoses as caregiver costs rise

Threatened Medicaid cuts would hobble Iowa's child-care workforce

Health coverage holds up Ohio’s child care

AZ hospitals could be required to ask patients about legal status

National program makes sure TX students are technology ready

Checking underneath the 'family wellness' hood

Nebraska health care providers grapple with binge drinking

Service dogs trained behind bars in WV transform lives, inside and out

Medicaid cuts could impact veterans in VA, report finds

Bills aim to strengthen CA health care as Congress considers cuts

Proposed bills would curb jailing of children in IL

GOP budget cuts to Medicaid could fray NM's safety net

Legislative hearing today on bill to extend End of Life Option Act

Hope and healing in Ohio's foster system

Montana bill could cover PTSD treatment for first responders

Advocates warn proposed cuts to Medi-Cal will cripple school budgets

West Virginia Senators push Medicaid cuts

Springtime can worsen depression, expert says

Report: DE makes strides bolstering school mental health

Iowa considers broadening psilocybin use

Report card: PA making steady improvements in student mental health

Report: MD makes improvements in school mental health services

NJ improves in school-based mental health policies

Wyoming K-12 mental-health coordination program nears expiration

WA investments in school mental-health services slowly helping

Report card: Colorado making improvements in student mental health

Alaska lawmakers work to improve in-school mental health care

IL school mental health investments leave gaps in provider ratios

Report: UT fares well in offering school mental health resources

Nebraska mental health advocates push back on funding cuts

'Never Alone Act' seeks to ensure patients have in-person advocates

Report: FL schools face mental-health staffing shortfalls