To get these headlines delivered to your inbox every week, sign up for our weekly health news roundup.
New student loan limits could threaten diversity in nursing and public health programs
Lauren Nutall, The 19th, Feb. 17
A proposed reclassification of public health and nursing could make it harder for people to pursue advanced degrees, making these fields less diverse and leaving a noticeable gap in care. The Trump administration has placed limits on most federal student loans: up to $200,000 for what are considered “professional degrees” and up to $100,000 for standard graduate degrees. Nursing and public health would now be considered the latter. People in these fields worry that these proposed limits will disproportionately impact students of color. “This will have a profound rippling effect on the nation’s health care, especially in those medically underserved communities,” said Veronica Vital, president of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.
CT sees record enrollments on state health insurance exchange, bucking national trends
Sujata Srinivasan, Connecticut Public Radio, Feb. 20
In stark contrast with national trends, Connecticut reported a record number of enrollments on Access Health CT, the state’s health care exchange. Enrollments rose 4% from last year, despite the expiration of enhanced federal tax credits that were made possible through COVID-relief legislation .The expiration of those credits drove a drop in enrollment of more than a million people across the country. Connecticut’s reported enrollment increase is a result of state funding to close the federal gap and expanded outreach by navigators and mobile enrollment specialists, according to Access Health CT.
Cold deaths spark call for closer look at Connecticut’s protocol on extreme temperatures
Liese Klein, CT Insider, Feb. 19
The 14 deaths blamed on extreme cold in Connecticut so far this year are prompting legislators to examine the state’s system of extreme temperature protocols. The public health committee voted to advance a measure to take a closer look at the current protocols, with some lawmakers arguing that there is a need for more expert input on declaring weather emergencies. “If you look at when an extreme weather protocol has been called in our state, there’s no pattern,” said State Sen. Saud Anwar. “Sometimes the temperature numbers are not being used, sometimes a wind chill is being used. Whether it’s a day or night, is a different protocol.”
Democrats decry meager medical care for detainees in funding fight
Stephanie Armour, KFF Health News, Feb. 25
Fernando Viera Reyes needed a biopsy for possible prostate cancer when he was sent to an immigration detention center. He made repeated requests for the procedure, but months went by without it despite signs that the cancer may be spreading, according to a lawsuit filed against the federal government. Immigrants are supposed to receive medical, dental, and mental health screenings when they arrive, as well as daily sick calls, round-the-clock emergency care, and other services, including preventive care, screening, diagnosis, and treatment. However, according to detainee lawsuits and independent and academic research reports, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is violating those standards.
Early prenatal care, considered best for moms and babies, is on the decline in the US
Laura Ungar, The Associated Press, Feb. 19
A new report shows that early prenatal care is on the decline despite its role in improving the chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby. Starting care later in pregnancy or receiving no care at all has been on the rise. While the trend identified in the report held for nearly all racial and ethnic groups, the decrease in early prenatal care was higher for moms in minority groups. First-trimester care dropped from 69.7% in 2021 to 65.1% in 2024 for Black mothers. Getting late or no prenatal care raises the risk of maternal mortality, which is much higher among Black mothers. While the report did not provide reasons why prenatal care is starting later, some experts believe the increase in maternity care deserts in the U.S. is a growing concern.