Planned Parenthood

Missouri state health agency seeks control of Title X funds that go to Planned Parenthood

(Missouri Independent) – Missouri’s state health department has applied to oversee federal family planning funds, a move reproductive health advocates fear would give the state power to cut off funding for providers who refer patients for abortion services. During his confirmation hearing late last month, former Department of Health and Senior Services Director Donald Kauerauf’s […]

Wright Memorial Hospital and Grundy County Health Department to offer free sports physicals

Wright Memorial Hospital and the Grundy County Health Department are once again working together to offer sports physical exams for Trenton Middle School and Trenton High School students who plan to participate in athletic/cheerleading activities during the 2022-2023 school year. Sports physical exams at Pleasant View, Spickard, Laredo, Galt, and Humphreys schools will be scheduled […]

Donald Kauerauf, the director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, speaks during a press conference at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City on July 21, 2021

Before ouster, Missouri health director drafted a letter to senators that was never sent

(Missouri Independent) – On the Friday before a drawn-out confirmation battle ended with his ouster from office, Missouri state Health Director Donald Kauerauf wrote an impassioned letter meant to convince conservative legislators who were on the fence about his appointment.  The message: While he believed in vaccines and data and science, he didn’t believe in vaccine […]

Patricia “Tricia” Ashton Derges former State Representative

Missouri lawmaker admits illegally selling prescription drugs, says it was unintentional

(Missouri Independent) – A Missouri lawmaker facing a 23-count federal indictment for allegedly selling fake stem-cell treatments and fraudulently using federal pandemic relief funds has settled with the state health department, resulting in three-year probation of her narcotics license while admitting to illegally purchasing and prescribing pharmaceutical drugs. The administrative settlement, signed Jan. 28 with the […]

Medical Marijuana Dispensary

Missouri Supreme Court: Medical marijuana application info must be disclosed in appeals

(Missouri Independent) – In a unanimous decision Tuesday, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that a lower court was justified in ordering the state health department to disclose medical marijuana application info that it had argued was confidential. The Department of Health and Senior Services refused to provide applications of businesses that were awarded licenses to […]

COVID-19 or Coronavirus Update

Five health departments report on new COVID-19 cases

The Livingston County Health Center reports two additional COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the total to 86. Forty cases have been added since February 1st, making that total 3,254. There are 231 active cases. The Grundy County Health Department reports an additional COVID-19-related death, raising the total to 64. Twenty-eight cases have been added since February 1st, […]