Latest news with #HouseBill72
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
HB 72 signed into law, improves access to healthcare, X-ray services
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – Officials say at the end of March, House Bill 72, sponsored by Owensboro Representative DJ Johnson, was signed into law. The measure expands access to healthcare and is intended to help avoid long waits and backlogs in X-ray services. Legislators say the new law allows a limited X-ray machine operator to be employed to perform medical imaging at a facility where contrast studies, fluoroscopy, nuclear medicine or radiation therapy procedures are performed; however, they will only be permitted to perform limited diagnostic radiography. AAUW to host tour honoring women of Daviess County 'Allowing limited X-ray operators to perform duties in facilities where other imaging equipment is being used will not only increase employment opportunities for these individuals but also help alleviate staffing shortages, improve operations, and expand access to care,' said Johnson. According to the Kentucky House Majority Caucus, a limited X-ray machine operator means an individual who performs limited radiographic procedures that shall not include contrast studies, fluoroscopy, nuclear medicine or radiation therapy procedures. Fourth arrest made in 5th Street shooting in Owensboro 'I am incredibly proud that House Bill 72 was signed into law. The measure gives medical practices more opportunities to hire limited X-ray operators,' Johnson added. 'This practical, commonsense measure seeks to eliminate barriers healthcare providers face in hiring qualified staff, offering them increased flexibility in how they staff their facilities.' Officials say House Bill 72 will take effect on June 27. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wyoming governor signs anti-transgender bathroom bill allowing for lawsuits
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, has signed a bill into law allowing people to sue if they encounter a member of the opposite sex — which, as defined by the bill, includes any transgender person — in certain single-sex, multi-occupancy restrooms or changing rooms, or if they have to share sleeping quarters with one in a state prison. Keep up with the latest in + news and politics. House Bill 72, which Gordon signed quietly Monday and which goes into effect July 1, applies to facilities in buildings owned, overseen, or leased by a governmental entity. Titled the Protecting Women's Privacy in Public Spaces Act, it does not apply to K-12 public schools but does apply to the University of Wyoming and community colleges. State and private prisons are included but not local jails. It applies to both males and females, as designated by reproductive characteristics. Those who encounter a trans person or a member of the opposite sex in one of these settings has a cause of action to sue the governmental entity overseeing it if the entity did not take reasonable steps to restrict access. 'Reasonable steps may include but are not limited to posting appropriate signage and adopting policies and procedures for the enforcement of the provisions of this act,' says an amendment to the measure. 'This bill ensures that women and girls can feel safe and respected in places where privacy is essential — bathrooms, locker rooms, showers, and correctional facilities,' its lead sponsor, Republican Rep. Martha Lawley, wrote in a column for the Powell Tribune in December. 'We have all heard stories of discomfort and fear when policies aren't clear, leaving institutions scrambling to balance privacy concerns with the risk of lawsuits. It's time for the Legislature to act. The Protecting Women's Privacy in Public Spaces Act provides clarity and creates consistent policies that prioritize privacy and safety.' The American Civil Liberties Union's Wyoming affiliate denounced the legislation. ''Like previous efforts to expel people of color, people with disabilities, and others from communal spaces, these arguments for privacy just mask a fear of difference. Eroding the fundamental rights of transgender people is dangerous for every one of us,'' said an ACLU statement quoted by radio station KGAB. Lawley is also backing a bill to extend the state's trans-exclusionary sports law, which now applies to grades 7-12, to intercollegiate sports. It has passed the House and Senate with some differences, which will have to be rectified before it goes to the governor. She characterizes her anti-trans bills as protections for women, but she has supported legislation to make abortion inaccessible in the state. She backed a bill that Gordon signed into law in February requiring clinics that provide surgical abortions to be licensed as surgery centers — something that medical professionals say is unnecessary and that would require expensive remodeling at Wyoming's only full-service abortion clinic, the Associated Press reports. That clinic, Wellspring Health Access in Casper, is performing no surgical or medication abortions while awaiting the outcome of a suit it filed to challenge the law, according to the AP. A ban on both surgical and medication abortions was struck down by a Wyoming judge last year, but the state has appealed the ruling.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kiss those championships goodbye. Anti-diversity bill will hurt OSU football
Say goodbye to your Buckeye National Championship football teams. You may not be that interested our concerned about the bill going through the Ohio legislature right now that changes higher education in Ohio, but consider this, Buckeye fans: Are any high-quality minority players going to come to a state that doesn't allow programs that benefit, or even recognize, diversity? They'll go elsewhere. Angela Smith Alder, Canton Historically before we had income taxes, our federal government was funded by tariffs. Once the income tax started, tariffs mainly stopped. Since President Donald Trump is reimposing tariffs, will our income tax come down? Hope so. It is the logical thing to do. We need a break (not just in eggs). David A. Kunkler, Rushville Re letter "Bathroom obsession is stupid," Feb. 26: The writer asked why our government was involved and passing legislation on who was going into middle school girls' restrooms. I think I can answer that. The first thing you must do is remove politics from the discussion. First thing is, it's plain common sense. No male, regardless of who or what you identify with, has any business entering a women's restroom, period. It's not too much to ask for: you to use your assigned gender's restroom. And yes, you do have one. If you can't figure that out, go see the nurse or ask your parents; they'll know. The policy is intended to protect the privacy and security of other students. I agree and personally find it disturbing that the government should even have to waste its time on such matters, but someone had to be the adult in the room. And I also agree with the banning of men in women's sports. In an era of teenage mental health issues, insecurities and confusion, someone had to do the right thing. Be an adult, do the right thing and guide these children until they become adults. But not in our schools. They need to learn the word "no." James J. Smith, Columbus As each new Ohio General Assembly begins to function, it is always interesting to observe the change in emphasis that elected state legislative members make. On their campaign trails, candidates emphasize speaking truth to power, but once elected and sworn in, Ohio legislators become quite effective at shifting their emphasis to "go-along-to-get-along" methods as they begin to function in the ongoing Statehouse culture. House Bill 72 is a current example. The proposed bill tries to combine the banning of capital punishment with banning state funds for abortion and medical aid in dying for the terminally ill into one large law when these three topics have distinctly different constituencies with different pros and cons to be considered. I urge Columbus Dispatch readers — and the editorial board — to oppose HB 72 and advocate for addressing these important subjects in separate legislation proposals. It does appear that the motives behind HB 72 are to serve particular interests of a few, rather than an earnest effort to address the broad — and different — views Ohioans have on each of these important topics. Citizens need to make their voices heard at the Statehouse with their letters and committee hearing testimonies! Don Thompson, Hilliard On Feb. 13, 2009, I became a U.S. citizen. Since that day, I have been proud to be Brazilian by birth and American by choice. As I celebrate the 16th anniversary of my citizenship, I remain proud to be an American. However, I am concerned about the direction our country is taking under President Donald Trump and pseudo-president Elon Musk. Using immigrants and refugees as political pawns while attacking diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is dehumanizing and irresponsible. Recent executive orders have suspended refugee resettlement even for Afghan allies who assisted the U.S. military while prioritizing the resettlement of Afrikaners (white South Africans of Dutch descent). Immigrants and refugees from all backgrounds strengthen communities by bringing diverse perspectives, skills and cultures. They contribute to local economies by starting businesses, filling essential jobs and driving innovation. Their traditions enrich neighborhoods and foster greater understanding. Embracing immigrants and refugees leads to vibrant, dynamic and resilient communities for everyone. Racist policies and rhetoric fuel division and discrimination. Accepting them normalizes hate and undermines social unity. Everyone deserves dignity and opportunity, regardless of their background. We must reject racism and embrace inclusion for a better future and keep this in mind when voting for our leaders. Leo Almeida, Canal Winchester Recall when your kid, easily, made a huge mess of a nice bedroom (increasing the entropy or disorder) and it took a huge effort to clear it up (decreasing the entropy) as consistent with thermodynamics. It applies all over; for example, to the bombing and rebuilding of a school, and lately, the president taking a sledgehammer to our own government with the mentality of a five-year-old and then hiring the incompetents to run it. Since departments of government work together, many of us, all over, will be impacted. Think health care, food and education, travel and keeping an eye on the weather. Include the president's favorite billionaires, used to feeding at the federal trough. One can think of desirable changes, carefully put in place, not with the sledgehammer. Unconcerned? Beware your lazy complacency. Gideon Fraenkel, Columbus Re: "Springfield sues neo-Nazi group" (Feb. 10), the understandable response to the 'Blood Tribe' might naturally be disgust and revulsion. I suggest looking at them more with sadness. These poor men, (and women?) carry a heavy burden of ignorance and fear of people who are 'different' from them as well as personal insecurity about their own value as living, loving human beings. This is very possibly what causes them to lash out so pathetically against 'the others' they encounter. If only we could encourage them to lean in to their fear and come to know the beauty of people like the Haitians in Springfield and experience and share the joy of their humanity and how alike we all really are. Living in such ignorance and fear for no good reason is to be pitied. What really is disgusting and revolting is the way our new president and vice president knowingly slandered these peaceful, non-threatening visitors, who are legally here on temporary protected work status to benefit themselves and Springfield. How very much like the sad, ignorant, fear-filled Blood Tribe members these two men evidently are. Jeffrey P. Reeder, Columbus This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football will suffer if 'education overhaul' passes | Letter
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Prosecutor opposes House Bill in fight to keep death penalty in Ohio
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins has taken his support for the death penalty in Ohio to the new office of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and is calling on the Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association (OPAA) to speak out about a bill that Watkins says is logrolling the death penalty with other hot button topics. Watkins wants executions to restart in Ohio and sent a letter last week to Bondi and Ohio Attorney General David Yost thanking them for their support of the death penalty and seeking their help reinstituting the practice in Ohio. Ohio has a moratorium on the death penalty because the state has not been able to obtain the drugs approved for lethal injection — Ohio's only means to carry out the death penalty. Any change to the drug cocktail or any other means of execution would have to be approved by the legislature. Watkins has suggested using nitrogen gas, which has been used in other states. Watkins is concerned about pending legislation that could thwart attempts at reigniting the death penalty in the state. He is asking OPAA leadership to speak out against legislators who he says are attempting to 'logroll' or package together several hot topics, such as the death penalty, abortion and assisted suicide, into the language of House Bill 72, which among other things would defund public money for lethal injection. The bill is sponsored by Jean Schmidt, R-District 62, and Adam Mathews, R-District 56. In his letter, Watkins refers to President Ronald Reagan and Supreme Court Antonin Scalia, who both felt a functioning death penalty was necessary to maintain the American citizens' way of life and keep society civilized. Watkins also praised the courage of former Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, who during December 2024 as he was leaving office, obtained the necessary drugs to execute a death row inmate and provide 'some finality to the victims' after 15 years of delay. President Trump by Executive Order this year has lifted the Biden Administration's moratorium on the death penalty in federal cases, according to Watkins, and while former President Biden did not carry out one execution during his term, he commuted 37 death sentences in one day before leaving office. In his fight to carry out death penalty convictions in Ohio, Watkins testified in Columbus in 2024 before legislative committees in support of the current death penalty law and in support of a bill that would add nitrogen hypoxia as a new method for execution. House Bill 72 is currently in committee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Nurses call out overcrowding at Presbyterian Hospital
A whiteboard in the breakroom at the progressive care unit at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque shows the remaining staff in the unit on Jan. 17, with 13 nurses and staff who left erased. Hospital officials deny any workers left the unit due to a decision in November to double up patient rooms. (Courtesy photo) Nurses at Albuquerque's Presbyterian Hospital say patient overcrowding reached a boiling point last fall, putting staff and patients in danger as they push for new statewide limits on how many patients nurses can be assigned. The nurses are highlighting their workplace's problems as they support a legislative proposal carried this session by Rep. Eleanor Chávez (D-Albuquerque) that would put the state Health Care Authority in charge of enforcing minimum staffing ratios. House Bill 72 awaits a hearing in the House Health and Human Services Committee. If it passes there, it will then go to the House Judiciary Committee. Sen. Katy Duhigg (D-Albuquerque) is co-sponsoring. There is a second safe staffing bill in the Legislature this year, endorsed by the AFL-CIO local Chávez used to lead, District 1199NM, along with the local AFT affiliate United Health Professionals of New Mexico. Edith Elsner-Ridgeway, who works in Presbyterian's progressive care unit, said in November, managers switched the unit to 'double occupancy rooms,' aka two patients in one room. The hospital was already short-staffed, Elsner-Ridgeway said, but the doubling up made the situation worse. Elsner-Ridgeway said after the doubling up began, the unit 'lost about 75% of our day nursing staff.' 'They were like, 'I've been over this, and now this is the last straw,'' she said. Lauren Rice, a relief discharge nurse and a floor nurse in the same unit, said nurses either transferred to other units, or resigned and went to different hospitals. 'The reason why, everybody said the same thing: 'I just do not want to be a part of this. It's not safe. I don't feel like I can actually be a good nurse, like a caring nurse,'' Rice said. In an email response to questions from Source NM, Holly Muller, the hospital's chief nursing officer, confirmed the unit had changed to double-occupancy rooms, but said no workers left the unit as a result. 'We're not aware of anyone who decided to leave due to this temporary change,' she said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Out of 526 licensed beds at Presbyterian Hospital, 48 are temporarily double occupancy rooms, Muller said, and management added staff and patient care equipment to the progressive care unit. Muller said hospitals throughout New Mexico see a significant influx of patients 'during the winter respiratory season,' and so last year they 'made several proactive decisions to meet the community's needs while supporting our patients and staff.' However, Elsner-Ridgeway said the unit's rooms were not built for two patients. 'It's just not set up for successfully having two patients in each room,' she said. Elsner-Ridgeway and Rice say the practice increases the chances of infectious disease spreading in the hospital. The unit is located inside the new 'patient care tower' built two years ago, which hospital officials touted as being built for isolating COVID-positive patients from others and to 'make each room a private space.' Rep. Chávez said if a unit isn't safely staffed, then infections increase, increasing the risk of being readmitted into the hospital. 'I think when they're doubling up, it creates a dangerous situation, not just for the nurses but for the patients as well,' Chávez said. 'And it really compromises patient care.' Muller said the hospital—like others around the country— supplements shortages with travel nurses, who fill about 120 shifts each week at Presbyterian Hospital. 'At all times, our teams work to maintain rigorous standards around safe, effective care to prevent infection and ensure appropriate staffing,' Muller said. Other hospital systems in New Mexico say they also have high numbers of patients. UNM Hospital, also in Albuquerque, has consistently operated at patient volumes exceeding 100% of its licensed capacity since the COVID-19 pandemic reached New Mexico in March 2020, according to spokesperson Chris Ramirez. Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center in Santa Fe has numbers of patients 'well in excess of what they were even two years ago,' said spokesperson Arturo Delgado. 'Our overnight hospitalizations continue to run in excess of 100% occupancy on a daily basis and our clinic visits are at an all-time high,' Delgado said. A spokesperson for the other major hospital system in New Mexico, Lovelace Health System, did not respond to a request for comment. Chávez first introduced the safe staffing legislation in 2023, got it approved by two committees but could not get it to a full vote in the House of Representatives. Similar proposals have been brought to the Legislature once or twice before, she said, but they never made it past the committees. Ramirez said UNM Hospital opposes legislation mandating hospital staffing ratios, because it would 'pose significant risks, including the potential closure of beds, reduced capacity to care for those in need, and limitations on accepting critical patients from across New Mexico.' 'Staffing ratios fail to consider the varying levels of patient acuity—a critical factor in determining safe and appropriate care,' he said. 'A 'one size fits all' model of care undermines the flexibility hospitals need to address the unique and dynamic needs of their patients.' The New Mexico Hospital Association opposed the legislation two years ago because they said it is not the right way to address hospital staffing shortages. 'What the staffing ratio legislation would do would prohibit hospitals from implementing flexibility in their staffing to treat patients in an optimal manner,' said Al Park, a lobbyist for the association, during a hearing on the bill at the House Judiciary committee in 2023. Troy Clarke, the association's CEO, did not respond to a voicemail seeking comment on Wednesday. The other safe staffing proposal, House Bill 138, is being sponsored by Rep. Kathleen Cates. Sen. Leo Jaramillo will sponsor it on the Senate side, according to union spokesperson Adrienne Enghouse. Cates' bill differs from Chávez's by creating staffing committees at each hospital 'so that plans could be tailored to the patient and staff needs in that hospital,' Enghouse said. As of Wednesday, Jaramillo had not introduced his bill, and told Source NM in a text message he was unavailable to comment on it. Nancy Novak, a semi-retired psychiatric registered nurse who has been in the field for more than three decades, supports the legislation and said nurses get frustrated when they can't care for their patients the right way. 'You get burnt out when you have that many patients, and mistakes happen,' Novak said. 'It's people we're talking about — not widgets. It's not something you can go into one of the big box stores and replace.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
