Latest news with #Adkinson
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
GCHD calls on federal officials to protect Medicaid
May 19—MOSES LAKE — Earlier this month, the Grant County Health District announced the passing of a resolution to call on federal leaders to protect and maintain funding for Medicaid. The proposed federal budget calls for possible extensive cuts to the program, which provides health care coverage for millions nationwide and thousands within Grant County. "It came about from our health officer (Alexander Brzezny) who has been monitoring some of the conversations at the federal level and what he was hearing from some of the medical associations of some concerns that Medicaid funding could be reduced substantially," said GCHD Administrator Theresa Adkinson. "Looking at our data, we know this would have a huge impact on our health care system and our residents in Grant County," Adkinson said these concerns inspired her to meet with the GCHD Board of Health to explain why this would be important to Grant County. The resolution was adopted by the board April 9. "Once we get the resolution passed, then that authorizes the staff and I to be able to talk with elected officials about the subject and talk about those impacts," she said. After passing the resolution, the GCHD shared it with all their supporting associations as well as the federal and state elected officials with positive feedback. "It opens that door for a conversation so that while it's not on the docket right now, you know that these conversations are happening now," said Adkinson. "They have those talking points from back home on what the impacts would be, not in DC, but here in Grant County." Medicaid is a public health insurance program that provides free or low-cost health coverage to people with low income, disabilities, pregnancies and those living in long-term care facilities. In an article from KFF, formerly Kaiser Health News, on May 14 the House Energy and Commerce Committee plans to use the changes to the Medicaid program to help meet spending targets aimed at funding President Donald Trump's domestic priorities. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill would decrease the federal deficit by more than $880 billion over 10 years. According to a press release by GCHD, cuts to Medicaid could severely impact access to care for 40% of Grant County residents and more than 1.8 million people across the state. This loss of coverage would threaten health coverage, especially in rural areas where resources are limited. The resolution states that, according to national County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, Grant County is faring worse than the average county in Washington for community conditions which determine health and worse for health outcomes which measure the health of local communities. Congressional Districts 4 and 5 have the highest proportions of adults and total population on Medicaid among Washington regions. "People will stop seeking care because they're concerned about out-of-pocket costs, so in a rural community such as ours, access to health care is critical," said Adkinson. "You don't want folks to have to drive far to seek healthcare and then we already have some healthcare deserts where our community health centers have opened their doors, like down in Mattawa." The resolution further says Medicaid is critical to the survival of rural Washington hospitals by being responsible for more than 25 percent of most Grant County hospitals' revenue. According to data provided by area legislators and hospitals, 30% of Samaritan Healthcare's revenue comes from Medicaid, and 27% of that for Columbia Basin Hospital. Nearby, Othello Community Hospital gets 58% of its revenue from Medicaid. Congressman Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., has said that the country needs to curb spending due to being more than $37 trillion in debt. Legislators from both sides of the aisle have said that spending needs to be cut, but that cuts to Medicaid should be minimal to ensure people have access to care. There is also concern that cuts to Medicaid could have impacts outside of negative impacts to access to medicine, including economic issues. An article from George Washington University said cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could also trigger severe economic consequences. The combined cuts could result in the loss of around one million jobs, $113 billion decline in states' gross domestic products and $8.8 billion in lost state and local tax revenue in 2026 alone. "Medicaid and SNAP programs are not just designed to strengthen individual health and nutrition — they support the economic well-being of communities and businesses nationwide," said Leighton Ku, lead author and director of the Center for Health Policy Research and professor of health policy and management at GW's Milken Institute School of Public Health. Adkinson said any citizens within the community who have concerns about the issue can help by talking with federal officials through hotlines, emails or drop-down boxes and leave messages about how this would impact the community. "Personal stories always have an impact, it's one thing to look at a budget, it's another thing to start looking at the lives that are covered by this funding source and the jobs that could potentially be lost in our community as well," she said.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
GCHD presents challenging but important work, officials say
Apr. 3—MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Health District has a lot of jobs and, and according to GCHD Administrator Theresa Adkinson, some of them are pretty difficult. "We have a hard job — I tell staff that all the time," Adkinson said. "We do really hard things. We are part of really hard conversations. But we are also community members, and we too are invested in (the decisions). Everything that we put forward as a public health agency is impacting our own families and lives. We're also living it." Adkinson said one of GCHD's goals for 2025 is to get more information out there about the organization and its work — and to encourage Grant County residents to talk about things they see as public health issues. The health district is writing a "health improvement plan" that is scheduled for publication in early 2026. Next week is National Public Health Week, and Adkinson and GCHD administrators took the opportunity to explain some of GCHD's jobs and plans for the future after the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic affected everything in sight, including the GCHD. Typically, public health events are handled locally, Adkinson said, by the county public health officer and experts on the GCHD staff. The pandemic moved the response to the state and federal level, and the GCHD became the organization that had to pass on the news. "Things we had historically made the decisions on were shifted once the state emergency was declared. So that did change for us because we became the local messenger," Adkinson said. "It's where we live, it's where our own children go to school. At times, it got very personal for us and the staff. Probably to this day it has still damaged relationships with some of our community leaders." State officials mostly didn't solicit local reaction, she said. "Whenever we were able to provide input or get a place at the table, we sought it out to give a local perspective. Oftentimes that wasn't afforded to us," Adkinson said. Public trust in a lot of institutions — GCHD included — declined as a result of the pandemic, Adkinson said. One of the health district's goals is to build back some of that trust. "To repair that trust, I think it comes with building relationships, and that's what we've been really working on — really leader-to-leader conversations. If you can get the trust of community leadership, I think that helps," she said. The GCHD provides a lot of other services, she said, and highlighting those is part of rebuilding lost trust. Public health can and does encompass a wide range of jobs, including obvious things like food inspection and monitoring drinking water. Stephanie Shopbell, GCHD environmental health manager, said that also includes not-so-obvious things like transfer stations. "Any time you have an area where there is a lot of garbage, there's a risk for contamination and public health impacts," Shopbell said. "So, we look at things like litter. Are they collecting things that they're not allowed to? How are they managing those and are they managing it appropriately? Also, maintaining the site for vectors like rodents. We don't want a big mouse infestation at the transfer station that spreads into the community because they can transmit disease." The health district provides community education along with programs promoting health and safety. Maria Vargas, healthy communities and families coordinator, said that includes substance abuse prevention programs and information to help people avoid chronic disease and reduce childhood injury. It also has programs for children and families, as well as information to support children with special needs. Vargas said some of those programs can be controversial, like the syringe exchange. But use of syringes has decreased among drug users since the types of drugs consumed has changed, Adkinson said. "The people that come to our syringe service program, a lot of them are not there to actually there to exchange syringes; they're there seeking other services that we offer, such the hygiene kits," Vargas said. "Plus, we have Renew (on site) and sometimes we have recovery navigators there. It's become a safe place for people to come in and connect with another human being without being judged." One of the GCHD initiatives is the establishment of an opioid task force in 2024 to help address opioid use, according to a district press release. The health district also works to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and works with outside agencies to coordinate weekly food box deliveries throughout Grant County in 2024, it said. Grant County Health District 1038 W Ivy Ave # 1, Moses Lake 509-766-7960
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Florida deputy killed in shootout outside Dollar General store
A sheriff's deputy was shot and killed in a shootout with a suspect outside a store in Florida on Wednesday, according to authorities who say the death has left them in shock and disbelief. Deputy Will May, 38, died after he responded to a call of a person trespassing inside a Dollar General store in Walton County in West Florida around 2 p.m., Sheriff Michael Adkinson of the Walton County Sheriff's Office said at a press briefing Wednesday. While inside, May engaged in a brief, 10-to-15-second chat with the suspect before he escorted the man out of the store from behind. "That's when the suspect pulled out a gun and opened fire on May," Adkinson said. Teen Accused Of Killing New Jersey Police Officer To Be Charged As Adult, New Us Attorney Says "That suspect drew a firearm and fired multiple rounds, striking Deputy Will May," Adkinson said. "Deputy May, to his great personal credit and courage, was able to draw his firearm and return fire." Read On The Fox News App May shot and killed the suspect and managed to radio for help. Other deputies arrived on the scene a short time later and provided lifesaving efforts, but May succumbed to his injuries four hours later at hospital. "[Deputy] Will fought the entire time, from returning fire on the scene, to fighting for his own life," Adkinson said. "I am struggling on behalf of this organization to make sense of this because I can tell you there's absolutely nothing tactically wrong with what Deputy May did." Florida Man Accused Of Stealing Cybertruck During Test Drive Returned To Tesla Dealership Days Later Adkinson said there was no indication that the suspect was capable of such violence and May was not going to arrest him. May was not supposed to be working yesterday, and he came in to provide assistance, with the incident being the last call on his shift, Adkinson said. The deadly incident took place at Mossy Head near DeFuniak Springs and at least 18 rounds were fired during the shootout. There were no other injuries. "Deputy May was wearing a ballistic vest," Adkinson said. That vest did stop multiple rounds from the suspect. One of the rounds went underneath the vest, which ultimately caused his death." May became a deputy in 2019 but began working for the department in 2014 as a communications officer. He leaves behind a wife and two teenage children. The deceased suspect was not named and Adkinson said that he had no prior arrests. There was "nothing that would indicate any level of violence," he said. "The subject was a concealed weapon permit holder," Adkinson said. "He had other weapons in his residence when we searched it. But nothing to indicate violence. In fact, he had not been arrested by this organization."Original article source: Florida deputy killed in shootout outside Dollar General store
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Florida deputy killed in shootout with suspect outside store
The Brief Walton County Deputy Will May died on Wednesday after being shot by a suspect during an exchange of gunfire, according to Sheriff Michael Adkinson. Investigators say Deputy May responded to a trespassing call at a Dollar General store near DeFuniak Springs. The suspect also died in the shootout. DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. - A deputy died after being shot in an exchange of gunfire with a suspect on Wednesday, according to the Walton County Sheriff's Office. The backstory Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson says Deputy Will May responded to a trespassing call at a Dollar General in Mossy Head near DeFuniak Springs on Wednesday afternoon. Adkinson says the suspect walked out of the store, with Deputy May exiting behind him, seconds before shots were fired. READ: Armed woman shot by deputies came close to critically injuring Pinellas deputy: Court documents "That suspect drew a firearm and fired multiple rounds, striking Deputy Will May," Adkinson said. "Deputy May, to his great personal credit and courage, was able to draw his firearm and return fire." The suspect died at the scene while Deputy May radioed for help, according to Adkinson. Despite lifesaving efforts, the deputy died from his injuries at the hospital hours later. Deputy May is survived by his wife and two children, according to WCSO. "I am struggling on behalf of this organization to make sense of this," Adkinson said. "Because I can tell you there's absolutely nothing tactically wrong with what Deputy May did." Adkinson also said Deputy May wasn't supposed to be working on Wednesday, but had volunteered for an overtime shift. As of Thursday morning, funeral arrangements have not been announced. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source This story was written with information from the Walton County Sheriff's Office. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Florida deputy, suspect dead after in shootout at a Dollar General. What we know
A Walton County Sheriff's deputy shot outside a Dollar General has died, according to Sheriff Michael Adkinson Jr. In a press conference Wednesday night, Adkinson said that Deputy Will May died after sustaining life-threatening injuries after responding to a disturbance/trespassing call that came into the dispatch center at approximately 2 p.m. on April 2. "Deputy William May. End of Watch April 2, 2025," the sheriff's office posted on Facebook Wednesday night. According to data from the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive, 88 law enforcement officers have been killed or injured nationwide in the line of duty so far this year, not counting May. Here's what we know. On Wednesday, May, 38, responded to a call for a person causing a disturbance at a Dollar Store on Highway 90 in Mossy Head, Adkinson said. May briefly talked to the suspect inside the store before escorting the person out, with May walking behind. The suspect then drew a gun and fired multiple rounds at May, the sheriff said, who was able to return fire. At least 18 rounds were fired during the shootout, Adkinson said. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. According to Adkinson, it took two minutes for another Walton County Sheriff's deputy to arrive on the scene. Other deputies, including members of the Florida Highway Patrol and Walton County Fire Rescue, also tended to May. Airlifting May proved impossible due to windy conditions, so he was transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center in Crestview, a little more than 17 miles away, where Adkinson said the medical staff worked for nearly four hours to save May's life. "Will fought the entire time. From returning fire on scene to fighting for his own life," said Adkinson. "At 7:10 this evening, Deputy Will May succumbed to gunshot wounds." The suspect has not been identified by the Walton County Sheriff's office. Adkinson said the suspect's history did not indicate violent behavior, and the only interactions between the suspect and law enforcement were welfare checks. The suspect, who had been living in the area for several years, was also a concealed carry license holder, and Adkinson believes that his weapon was bought and carried legally. The sheriff said other weapons were found in the man's home. "Deputy May was wearing a ballistic vest," Adkinson said. "That vest did stop multiple rounds from the suspect. One of the rounds went underneath the vest, which ultimately caused his death." May started at the Walton County Sheriff's Office as a communications officer in 2014, Adkinson said. In 2019, he became a deputy sheriff and has been a field training officer since 2023. Adkinson said May's father is a retired assistant fire chief for the county and his mother is a former dispatcher. To make matters worse, the sheriff said May wasn't supposed to be working Wednesday and his wife had asked him not to work that day, but he volunteered to get overtime and help out. At the time of the incident, May was on his way home, answering the last call for the day. May leaves behind his wife and two teenage children. Mossy Head is an unincorporated community in Walton County in the Florida Panhandle, about 12 miles west of DeFuniak Springs, about 75 miles northwest of Panama City and about 132 miles west of Tallahassee. The area is at the head of Mossy Head Branch, a tributary of the Shoal River, and was previously an interchange point for a railroad between the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and Eglin Air Force Base This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida deputy shot and killed, suspect dead in Dollar Store shootout
