A typical flu season usually lasts about six weeks and ends in March, but this season so far has seen 16 weeks of widespread flu in Ohio, said Dr. Jennifer Hanrahan, medical director for infection prevention at MetroHealth Medical Center. “We still have positive tests (for flu) every day,” she said. “I don’t remember another […]
Marion Public Health receives additional grant funds toward improving health outcomes
March 28, 2018 by
Marion Public Health (MPH) recently secured a grant in the amount of $16,250 as an extension of a previous grant from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors. MPH will be collaborating with the Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities (MCBDD) to continue work toward improving health outcomes of Marion residents including those living with […]
Department of Aging, area pharmacies partner to help older Ohioans prevent falls
March 28, 2018 by
Certain types of medications and drug combinations can cause dizziness, drowsiness and confusion, and could contribute to a life-changing fall in older adults. The Ohio Department of Aging, through its STEADY U Ohio falls prevention initiative, is partnering with the Ohio Pharmacists Association and pharmacies around the state during the first week of April to […]
Republican lawmakers introduce bill to ban abortion outright, force Supreme Court review
March 23, 2018 by
Two Republican Ohio lawmakers have introduced a bill that would outright ban abortion in Ohio, legislation that some abortion opponents hope will push a more conservative U.S. Supreme Court to review past decisions legalizing abortion. House Bill 565 would ban all abortions at all stages of pregnancy, even in cases of rape, incest or when […]
Judge blocks Ohio’s Down syndrome abortion ban
March 16, 2018 by
Ohio’s new Down syndrome abortion ban is on hold after a federal judge in Cincinnati sided with abortion providers who claimed the ban was unconstitutional. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Black issued a preliminary injunction Wednesday blocking the new law from going into effect next week while the case continues. Black wrote in a 22-page […]
Bill would provide tax credit, recognition for still births in Ohio
March 14, 2018 by
Heather Johnston Welliver told lawmakers Tuesday morning she had just six hours in 2014 with her daughter Lydia, who was stillborn, to read to her, kiss her and tell her how much she loves her. Then came the cremation and memorial service, the hospital bills and the grief counseling she needed after the painful and […]
CDC reports shows opioid overdoses spiked 28 percent in Ohio last year
March 7, 2018 by
Emergency room visits for suspected opioid overdoses spiked 30 percent nationwide from July 2016 through September 2017 with the most severe problems experienced in the Midwest, according to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released Tuesday. The report compiled from emergency departments in 45 states found overdoses rose 109 percent in Wisconsin, […]
National School Breakfast Week encourages students to “Heart” breakfast
March 7, 2018 by
Well-nourished students have well-nourished minds. Starting the school day with a nutritious breakfast is a healthy way to help students focus and concentrate on schoolwork. To encourage more families to take advantage of the healthy choices available to them, the Ohio Department of Education is promoting National School Breakfast Week. “National School Breakfast Week provides […]
Bill would prohibit Anthem, other insurers from denying some ER claims
March 5, 2018 by
As promised, a Cincinnati Democrat introduced a bill in the General Assembly that would prohibit insurance companies from denying paying for some of their policyholders’ emergency room claims. House Bill 536 attempts to halt a new rule by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield that went into effect at the beginning of the year, in which […]
Major health insurer stops paying for some emergency room visits
February 23, 2018 by
One of Ohio’s largest insurers is denying payment for emergency room claims when it determines policyholders didn’t need emergency care. The Ohio Hospital Association and state lawmakers are working to combat Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield’s new practice, which could leave Ohio policyholders with thousands of dollars in ER bills, according to Thursday morning’s Capitol […]
