Latest news with #DepartmentofHealth
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Judge dismisses ACLU's lawsuit against West Virginia over Morrisey's vaccine executive order
Aubrey Sparks, legal director for ACLU-WV, argues in support of their lawsuit against the state Wednesday in front of Kanawha County Circuit Judge Kenneth Ballard. The judge dismissed the lawsuit on procedural grounds. (Lori Kersey | West Virginia Watch) A Kanawha County judge has dismissed a legal action filed against the state Department of Health over its compliance with Gov. Patrick Morrisey's executive order requiring it to issue religious exemptions to the state's school-required vaccinations. Circuit Judge Kenneth Ballard dismissed the suit — filed by plaintiffs represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia and Mountain State Justice — on procedural grounds without addressing the merits of the case. He agreed with an attorney representing the state that the ACLU had failed to meet a requirement that it notify the state 30 days in advance of filing the lawsuit. 'I think I'm jurisdictionally barred,' Ballard said from the bench Wednesday. 'I think that the petitioners here failed to satisfy the requirements of West Virginia Code 55-17-3 which requires either a …30-day notice or a pleading of injunctive relief.' The judge said the ACLU's complaint and arguments sought a writ of mandamus with little discussion of a request for injunctive relief. 'I don't think you appropriately sought this injunctive relief, I think you only interjected it at the end in an effort to get around this rule,' Ballard said. The ACLU and Mountain State Justice filed the lawsuit May 23 against the state Department of Health on behalf of Marisa Jackson, of Kanawha County, and Dr. Joshua Hess, of Cabell County. Jackson and Hess are both parents of immunocompromised students. Hess is also a pediatric hematologist and oncologist practicing at Marshall Health's Cabell Huntington Hospital. The petition asked the court to compel the state's Department of Health and Bureau for Public Health to stop complying with the executive order requiring the state to allow religious exemptions for vaccine requirements. The state is one of only five in the country that has not allowed religious or philosophical exemptions to school required vaccines. Despite Morrisey's executive order, the state Legislature earlier this year voted down Senate Bill 460, which would have established those religious exemptions in state law. The state Board of Education voted recently to direct county boards of education not to allow religious exemptions. In a separate legal action, a Raleigh County parent whose child was issued a religious exemption by the Department of Health is suing the state and county school boards for not accepting the exemption. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday in the Raleigh County lawsuit. On behalf of the state, attorney Holly Wilson argued that the case can be dismissed for 'myriad reasons,' including that the plaintiffs did not offer pre-suit notice or meet a burden to show standing. 'But if this court decides that it wants to reach the merits or that it should reach the merits, petitioners lose,' she said. 'They can't show a clear legal right. They can't show a legal duty and certainly they can't show a legal duty that's non-discretionary.' The state and Morrisey argue that the state's vaccine laws taken together with a 2023 Equal Protection for Religion Act require the state to allow religious exemptions. Aubrey Sparks, legal director for the ACLU, argued that the ACLU was not required to give the state 30 days notice because of an exception in the law when parties are asking for injunctive relief. Ballard dismissed the case without prejudice, meaning that the ACLU could re-file the lawsuit. Sparks told reporters after the hearing Wednesday it's too soon to say whether the legal advocacy organization would do so. 'It's an open question about what our next steps are because I know that there's a lot of other lawsuits pending on this issue,' Sparks said. 'We want to understand what happens in those but we do feel fundamentally that what the state is doing here is unlawful. But then more concerningly, what the state has argued in this case is so profoundly unconstitutional that we all should be concerned. 'What they functionally came into this courtroom and said is that an act of the governor can just unilaterally swipe off the table any law that he thinks could burden someone's religious exercise, and that's just not supported and not permissible under our constitution.' In a post on the social media platform X Wednesday, Morrisey called the judge's ruling the 'first skirmish of a longer fight.' 'But the ultimate outcome — whether resolved via litigation or a change in statute — is not in doubt,' he said. 'West Virginia is a radical outlier when it comes to onerous vaccine mandates — one of only 5 states in the nation without a statutorily-based, religious exemption. We have an EO based upon our state's religious freedom law that is very strong and must be given meaning. Sadly the state school board is ignoring this important law — they are over reaching and need to be stopped!' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trade bodies welcome Ireland alcohol health warning labels delay
The local and European drinks trade has reacted positively to Ireland's delay of implementing health warnings and calorie information on alcoholic beverages. Reports emerged last week indicating the government's intention to delay putting the legislation into force. Two senior government officials told Politico the move was being made due to fears of US tariffs affecting Ireland's drinks exports. In a statement to Just Drinks yesterday (23 July), the Department of Health said: "Following the Government's decision to defer the implementation of alcohol labelling requirements from 2026 to 2028, the Department of Health will arrange for the necessary amendments to the relevant regulations." National drinks trade body Drinks Ireland welcomed the delay. It said the move brings "much-needed relief" for producers, "and allows our exporters to focus their resources and efforts on market diversification and indeed, survival of their businesses". The Irish drinks sector is already facing "major trade uncertainty, new tariffs on product[s] entering our most important export market, the US, and threats of further tariff escalation", the association said, adding while Irish producers are focused on exports, they also require a "strong, competitive domestic marketplace". The country passed the legislation in 2023. It required alcohol producers to include health warning labels on drinks labelling information for alcoholic beverages. The labels were intended to highlight the risks of drinking alcohol and include information on a product's calorie content. They were supposed to come into effect from May next year. The labelling law which was to be implemented "as a unilateral national measure" would have seen packaging and labelling costs go up "by some 35%", according to Drinks Ireland. The trade body argued that the law should be implemented at the EU level "to maintain the integrity of the EU Single Market and avoid additional costs on Irish businesses versus our competitors". "Pushing through this unilateral change would have resulted in some businesses forgoing the Irish market, would have driven up the price of doing business for all drinks producers and would have impacted on the cost and choice for consumers." EU wine trade body Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins (CEEV) also welcomed the Irish government's decision, describing it as "an important opportunity to re-align regulatory efforts with EU law and the principles of the Single Market". 'Introducing a unilateral and disproportionate health warning on all alcoholic beverages sold in Ireland would have imposed significant costs and administrative burdens, especially for small and medium-sized wine producers, while undermining the integrity of the EU Single Market and legal framework," said Marzia Varvaglione, president of the CEEV. "Public health objectives must be pursued in a legally sound and coordinated way. Fragmentation only leads to confusion for consumers and unnecessary costs for producers,' she added. The CEEV filed a complaint to the European Commission on Ireland's new labelling laws when they were announced two years ago, it said, stating that the legislation went against "the Union's legal framework". 'This pause shall be more than just a delay, it is a much-needed chance to rethink how we ensure consumers are well-informed, while also safeguarding the legal and economic coherence of the European market,' Ignacio Sánchez Recarte, the secretary general of CEEV, said. 'Wine producers and consumers deserve rules that are balanced, evidence-based, and applied consistently across the EU.' Delay with "real-life consequences", says charity Local charity Alcohol Action Ireland however said it was "disappointed" by the delay, arguing that the legislation was a crucial part of Ireland's Public Health (Alcohol) Act (2018), which looks to reduce the negative effects of alcohol, and cut down national consumption. Dr Sheila Gilheany, the CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland, said: 'To say that this delay is a blow for public health in Ireland is an understatement. It is a failure of leadership and of democracy. "It's not just that Irish people are being denied their right to information regarding some of the facts about alcohol so that they can make informed decisions. It's not just that the government is allowing its own groundbreaking legislation to be undermined by the very industry it is designed to regulate. "This delay will have real-life consequences that will be felt by ordinary Irish people every day." "Trade bodies welcome Ireland alcohol health warning labels delay" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
GMA Network
14 hours ago
- Health
- GMA Network
DOH: Over 1K health workers deployed to aid flood victims
The Department of Health (DOH) said it has deployed over 1,000 medical personnel in health centers nationwide to assist flood victims. At the same time, it said several government hospitals have been readied to increase their capacity to accommodate patients needing medical attention. In a public briefing on Thursday, DOH spokesperson Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said a total of 1,184 doctors and nurses are ready, especially in areas hit by floods from the inclement weather. 'Naka-standby naman po at ready ang ating mga doktor at nurse sa ating mga health centers… Ito po yung mga doktor at mga nurse na naka-deploy sa Ilocos, sa Central Luzon, sa MIMAROPA, sa Bicol at sa Metro Manila. Maaring mas mataas po ang numero dahil ito pa lamang po yung dumadating sa amin ng preliminary numbers,' he shared. (Our doctors and nurses are ready and on standby in our health centers… These are the doctors and nurses deployed in Ilocos, Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol, and Metro Manila. The numbers may possibly increase because these are just the preliminary numbers that we got.) Domingo said health workers on duty are also receiving adequate care. 'Sinisigurado po ng ating kagawaran ng DOH ang proper rotation ng personnel. Mayroon kaming proper working hours and rotation, pinapahinga rin po natin para dun sa mga hospital na malalaki meron po mga dormitory, may mga tulugan na malinis kapag naka-off-duty ang mga health workers… Sila po ay pwedeng magpahinga, pinapakain po ng husto, pinapatulog, para nakakapahinga po, para ready again pagdating ng kanilang duty shift,' he shared. (The DOH is ensuring proper rotation of personnel. We have proper working hours and rotation, and are ensuring that there are dormitories in big hospitals for them to rest… They are also allowed to rest, eat properly, sleep, so that they are well-rested for their duty shift.) 'Hindi lamang po yung pasyente yung kailangang alagaan, yung mismong mga gumagamot po ay kailangang alagaan rin. Kasama rin po naman yan sa training naming mga doktor,' he added. (We take care of our personnel who attend to patients. That is also part of our training as doctors.) Meanwhile, Domingo said several hospitals have increased their bed capacity to attend to more patients. 'Kunwari po kung dati ay hanggang 100 beds lang ang hospital, meron po yung allowance na pwede nga tumaas by 10% or 20% additional beds, depende po sa layout ng hospital,' he shared. (Fo example, a hospital's 100-bed capacity can increase by 10 to 20 percent, depending on its layout.) Earlier, the DOH said it has deployed P31 million worth of emergency medicine nationwide, with an additional P180 million worth of medicine on standby for deployment. DOH also announced a price freeze for 148 types of medicine in 40 areas under a state of calamity amid the combined effects of cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong, and the Southwest Monsoon. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
Perth Now
18 hours ago
- General
- Perth Now
Stirling launches state's first regular Auslan Storytime
In a WA-first, the City of Stirling has launched an Auslan Storytime program to bring early literacy to deaf and hard-of-hearing families regularly. Run in partnership with Deaf Connect, the free storytime sessions involve book reading led by a deaf storyteller in Auslan, supported by an interpreter. Designed for children up to five, the sessions blend signing, reading, singing, talking and play to support early language development in an inclusive setting. Auslan Storytime has gained popularity in the eastern states, but the City of Stirling said this is the first time it's been offered regularly in the state. The program began fortnightly sessions starting at 10:30 am on Thursday, July 24, at Stirling Libraries – Osborne, and will continue throughout the 2025 school year. This comes after an official launch was held on Saturday, June 28, attracting a strong turnout of 37 families. Stirling Deputy Mayor Suzanne Migdale said the launch's success showed strong demand for inclusive and accessible activities. Credit: City of Stirling Stirling Deputy Mayor Suzanne Migdale said the success of the June launch demonstrated strong community demand for more inclusive and accessible activities across the City. 'The energy and enthusiasm for Auslan Storytime at the launch event demonstrates the need for programs supporting early literacy for deaf and hard-of-hearing families,' Deputy Mayor Migdale said. 'The City of Stirling is proud to support Deaf Connect in the delivery of this program to make our libraries a more inclusive place for all families.' Currently, around 3.6 million Australians experience some degree of hearing loss. With an aging population, this figure is projected to more than double to about 7.8 million by 2060, according to the Department of Health. At birth, roughly one in every 1,000 Australian babies is diagnosed with hearing loss, a number that rises to two in every 1,000 by the time children enter school. Auslan, short for Australian Sign Language, is the primary language used by deaf and hard-of-hearing Australians, helping to break down communication barriers. Roughly one in every 1,000 Australian babies is diagnosed with hearing loss at birth. Credit: BRIAN MITCHELL / Getty Images Although focused on improving early literacy and library engagement for deaf and hard-of-hearing families, the City believes the storytime program benefits the wider community by promoting greater inclusion and deaf culture awareness. It is also said to benefit hearing families by teaching basic Auslan signs that can aid pre-verbal communication and strengthen parent-child bonding. The City's Auslan Storytime program is supported by funding from the State Government through the State Library of WA's Better Beginnings program. The free sessions can be booked online at
Euractiv
19 hours ago
- Health
- Euractiv
Ireland publishes National Drugs Strategy as ministers battle rising cocaine use
Dublin - Ireland's health ministers have released an independent evaluation of the country's National Drugs Strategy (NDS), 'Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery 2017–2025', highlighting progress in harm reduction and international alignment, while also identifying areas for structural reform. The report, commissioned by the Department of Health and conducted by Grant Thornton, assesses the strategy across four key domains: impact, governance, performance, and coherence with international policy frameworks. It fulfils a commitment made in the Programme for Government and arrives as policymakers prepare to draft a successor strategy by the end of 2025. The evaluation finds that the NDS has made 'notable progress in advancing a health-led approach,' particularly through the expansion of harm reduction measures such as naloxone distribution, needle exchange programmes, and drug-checking services. On governance, the report cites the establishment of strategic implementation groups and enhanced interagency collaboration at the local level as key achievements. These developments, it notes, have enabled 'more responsive and context-sensitive service delivery.' Performance metrics show improved data collection and monitoring. Shifting trends Cocaine emerged as the most common primary drug reported in treatment cases in 2024, underscoring a shift in Ireland's drug use profile. Ireland's latest drug use figures, published in 2025 by the Health Research Board, reveal a shifting landscape in substance use, with cannabis and cocaine remaining the most prevalent illicit drugs. Based on data from the 'Healthy Ireland Survey 2023', 7.8% of adults reported using cannabis in the past year, while cocaine use rose to 4.4%, particularly among those aged 25–34. Sedative and tranquilliser use stood at 2.5%, with higher rates among women and older adults. The report also highlights a rise in polydrug use and a strong correlation between drug use and other risk behaviours, including tobacco and alcohol consumption. EU drug strategy alignment Internationally, the strategy is deemed well-aligned with the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan 2021–2025, with Ireland's contributions to early warning systems and multilateral research initiatives receiving particular praise. However, the review also identifies persistent challenges, including fragmented delivery of prevention and early intervention services, and a need for alternatives to coercive sanctions. It outlines 10 strategic recommendations to guide the next phase of policy development. Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill welcomed the report's focus on equity and access, noting alignment with ongoing Sláintecare reforms. 'The establishment of new HSE health regions presents a valuable opportunity to tailor drug treatment services to population needs and to ensure that both existing and new funding is allocated effectively and transparently,' she said. Carroll MacNeill also highlighted the importance of cross-border and EU collaboration: 'The upcoming Irish Presidency of the EU offers a unique opportunity to foster greater collaboration between member states, the EU Drugs Agency, and civil society organisations.' She added, 'Together, we can better address the health and preparedness challenges posed by an evolving and dynamic drugs market.' Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor reaffirmed her commitment to a health-led approach, including the proposed health diversion scheme. She welcomed 'the strong endorsement in the evaluation of the health-led response to drug use, including the proposed health diversion scheme for people found in possession of drugs for personal use. I am determined that the scheme will commence as soon as possible, in line with the commitments in the Programme for Government.' Next steps Murnane O'Connor announced the formation of a steering group to draft the next strategy. 'It is my ambition that the successor national drugs strategy will further strengthen the health-led approach to drug use by addressing the health and social needs of people who use drugs, reducing the harms for individuals, families and communities associated with drugs, and supporting recovery from drug addiction,' she said. The review's 10 recommendations include enhancing culturally sensitive services, increasing community engagement, aligning service delivery with regional needs, and investing in monitoring and research systems. It also calls for stronger integration of alcohol treatment services and continued development of alternatives to criminal sanctions. The evaluation follows the 2024 report of the Citizens' Assembly on Drug Use, which issued 36 recommendations spanning prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery. These remain under active consideration by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Drug Use and are expected to shape the forthcoming strategy. The EU Drugs Strategy 2021–2025 set out a robust, health-oriented framework to tackle drug-related issues across member states, balancing supply reduction with demand-side interventions. Central to the strategy has been harm reduction, international cooperation, and evidence-based policymaking, underpinned by commitments to human rights, gender equality, and public health. Its strategic goals have included enhancing security, expanding access to treatment, and reinforcing governance structures. The strategy also aligns with UN conventions and supports multilateral engagement. Its foremost priority is the disruption and dismantling of high-risk organised crime groups linked to drug trafficking, particularly those operating within or targeting the EU, and addressing their connections to broader security threats. By Brian Maguire
