Arizona Supreme Court restores near-total ban on abortions in the state
PHOENIX - A divided Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday reinstated a 19th-century, near-total ban on abortion, saying it overrides a 2022 law that allowed abortions up to 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Low-income hearing health care expanded to all three Arizona universities
PHOENIX - The Hearing Healthcare Assistance Project provides hearing care for low-income adults who might not able to afford care. Founded in 2021 by the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and ASU, the program now includes NAU and UArizona.
Governor’s office partners with RIP Medical Debt to forgive billions in medical debt for some Arizonans
PHOENIX — Katie Hobbs announced that federal American Rescue Plan Act funds will be used to pay off medical debt of Arizonans who meet special criteria.
Advocates hit milestone in push to get abortion-rights question on ballot
PHOENIX - Activists said this week that they have collected more than 500,000 signatures to put an abortion-rights initiative on this fall's ballot, giving organizers a 100,000-signature cushion already with another three months before petitions are due.
FDA considers updating pulse oximeter guidelines to make readings on dark skin more accurate
PHOENIX – The FDA is considering changing pulse oximeter clinical testing regulations after a series of events exposed inaccuracies for patients with dark skin
Menthol cigarettes, heavily marketed to African American communities for years, face possible state and federal bans
PHOENIX – Since the 1960s, menthol cigarettes have been heavily marketed to African American and other minority communities, which have suffered lasting health effects. Now a movement to ban menthol tobacco products is mounting.
Former users and experts debate whether kratom, an herbal substance, helps or harms those who take it
PHOENIX – Former kratom users in the Valley describe their experiences using the herbal substance that originated with traditional uses in Southeast Asia. While users started taking it to deal with depression or pain, they described becoming addicted as they took higher doses. A Banner Health toxicologist and the American Kratom Association discuss its potential risks and benefits.
Affordable Care Act celebrates 14th anniversary following jump in enrollment, continuing political discord
PHOENIX – The Affordable Care Act just celebrated its 14th anniversary this month despite continuing differences in opinions between Democrats and Republicans about the landmark health care law.
Tribes, feds spar before Supreme Court over who pays for health care
WASHINGTON - The San Carlos Apache said Monday it is owed $3 million by the federal government for health services, one of two tribes arguing before the Supreme Court for more support, But the government said allowing tribes to claim additional costs would strap the system.
‘Downwinder’ renewal left out of massive budget bill rushed through Congress
PHOENIX - The $1.2 trillion budget that Congress was working to pass Friday included protection for gas stoves to restrictions on payments to the Chinese government. What it didn't include was renewal of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act for "downwinders."
Mobile maternity care clinics work to expand prenatal care accessibility
PHOENIX – One in six infants in Arizona was born to a woman receiving inadequate prenatal care in 2022. To tackle lack of accessibility, mobile maternity care units are bringing prenatal care to communities that need affordable prenatal resources.
Maricopa County, First Place hold mock election for disabled voters ahead of presidential primary
PHOENIX – Maricopa County Recorder’s Office and Elections Office is providing tools to help voters with disabilities cast their ballots and has teamed up with First Place, a residential center for people with disabilities.
