Vermont has become the first state to change its medically assisted suicide law to allow terminally ill people from out of state to take advantage of it. The bill was welcomed by advocates of medically assisted suicide, and is expected to take effect in July with certain criteria, such as having a terminal illness and being a resident of Vermont for at least 15 days. This is a major victory for advocates of medically assisted suicide, and a reminder of the importance of protecting the rights of terminally ill people to make their own end-of-life decisions.
Posts published in “Health”
A Missouri judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking a rule that would have required adults and children to undergo more than a year of therapy before receiving gender-affirming treatments. The rule was challenged by the ACLU and the Transgender Law Center on behalf of two transgender Missourians and the St. Louis Effort for AIDS, who argued that it violated the Missouri Constitution. The case will now move forward in the courts, with a final ruling expected in the coming weeks.
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has declared loneliness to be a public health epidemic, citing a report that found half of U.S. adults have experienced it. The report suggests that loneliness can be as deadly as smoking a dozen cigarettes daily, and that more public health initiatives should be implemented to help individuals and communities address it. The report is an important step in recognizing the impact of loneliness on public health, and taking steps to ensure those struggling with it have access to the resources they need.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has signed a bill into law making it a felony for healthcare workers to provide gender-affirming medical care to minors, including treatments such as puberty-blocking drugs and hormones. This is part of a larger trend of conservatives targeting transgender rights across the country, and advocates have argued that the law will have a detrimental effect on the health and well-being of transgender children. The law is set to take effect on November 1st, 2021, with unclear consequences for healthcare workers who violate it.
Serena Williams and Karlie Kloss both debuted their baby bumps at the 2023 Met Gala, making a statement on the red carpet and sparking much excitement. Despite the famously strict "no plus ones" policy, the two expecting mothers made a splash at the star-studded event, with many people taking to social media to express their congratulations. The night was a memorable one for many reasons, but the debut of the two baby bumps certainly stands out.
The Biden administration has announced that the vaccine requirement for federal employees, federal contractors, and international travelers will be ending on May 11th, signaling confidence in the progress made in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The administration is continuing to take steps to ensure the health and safety of Americans, including providing financial assistance, expanding access to testing, and increasing the availability of vaccines.
Employees of an Auburn, Maine restaurant were surprised to find a plastic tote containing 14 kilograms (31 pounds) of the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl in a crate they thought was a shipment of mugs. The estimated street value of the drugs is $3 million. The Auburn Police Department is working with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency to investigate the source of the shipment and is urging anyone with information to contact them.
Candace Chapman Scott, a Little Rock resident, has pleaded not guilty to twelve counts of fraud and stolen property charges for allegedly selling 20 boxes of stolen body parts from medical school cadavers to a Pennsylvania man. UAMS is conducting an internal investigation and Scott's trial is set to begin on June 7th, with potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.