Republican leaders say they’re not against coronavirus vaccinations — they just don’t think governments, private employers or schools should require people to get inoculated. As Valerie Crowder reports, language in the new state policy coupled with some G-O-P lawmakers' comments, is reinforcing some common misconceptions about the vaccine.
Every year, healthcare is one of Florida’s biggest expenses. During the pandemic the number of people who have become eligible for the state’s healthcare program for low-income earners has spiked. Regan McCarthy reports officials say more than 5-million Floridians are soon expected to be on the rolls for the state and federally funded Medicaid program.
The demand for home health care for aging loved ones is growing as the population ages and COVID-19 has been deadly in nursing homes - driving people to look for ways to age at home if they can. Gary Barg found himself dealing with this personally after building his professional career talking about caregiving. He spoke to WLRN’s Tom Hudson on the Sunshine Economy.
Here’s another COVID-related story.The pandemic continues to put a strain on many people's mental health. But it's been especially hard for some Black Americans, who have been disproportionately affected by the virus and already faced barriers to accessing care.Health News Florida took a look at how COVID-19 exposed existing inequities in our health care system and may also be inspiring solutions. In this installment, reporter Stephanie Colombini explores how the pandemic intensified mental health challenges in the Black community ... and how it’s amplifying conversations about change.
More than a thousand Florida manatees have died so far this year. And congressional lawmakers are hoping to bypass current regulations to get the West Indian manatee immediately relisted as endangered. Robbie Gaffney reports.