(Missouri Independent) – Ameren Missouri should not increase its electrical rates for its customers as they struggle to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic fallout, a coalition of environmental, veterans, and tenants advocates said Wednesday. The St. Louis-based utility filed with regulators in March seeking a rate increase worth nearly $300 million per year to pay […]
Tag: health
In court, drug middlemen fight to limit pharmacies insured patients can use
(Missouri Independent) – In the first test of a 2020 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, drug middlemen last week argued that federal law gives them a right to limit which pharmacies patients with health insurance can use — or at least make it more expensive if patients get their medicine at a shop that isn’t preferred […]
Leadership Northwest Missouri recruiting for 2022 class
While life is anything but typical right now, we understand the importance of continuing to offer opportunities to lead, connect and grow within the Northwest Missouri region. Leadership Northwest Missouri is looking for the right men and women to fill its 2022 class, promising those who join an experience they’ll never forget. Eight days over […]
Judge orders no change – for now – in Missouri’s prisoner health care contractor
(Missouri Independent) – Work to bring a new contractor for prisoner health care services online in Missouri can continue, but the actual transition from Corizon, the current provider, won’t occur until at least early November, Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green ordered Tuesday. Green issued a temporary restraining order blocking the state from canceling its […]
Better pay and community trust linked to school bus driver shortage
School districts in Iowa and Missouri are reporting bus driver shortages as the academic year gets underway. Transportation officials said more earning potential and a broader appreciation of the job could help address the lingering issue. In a new national survey from a trio of industry groups, 51% of coordinators described the driver shortage as “severe” or […]
New report indicates pandemic will cause Social Security funding shortage
The pandemic presents some future funding challenges to benefits for older Americans, according to the 2021 Social Security and Medicare Trustees’ Reports. Walt Dawson, assistant professor in the School of Public Health at Oregon Health and Science University, said the programs are foundational to Americans’ health and economic security as they age. While the reports are […]
Mercer County reports a COVID-related death; area health departments report 25 new cases of COVID-19
The Mercer County Health Department reports is has been notified of a COVID-19-related death, which was the first one for 2021. That brings the total number of deaths to 10. The health department notes there has been an influx in cases in the last couple of weeks. The number of confirmed cases rose by two […]
Linn County Health Department investigating possible COVID-19 exposure at Bell Game in Brookfield
The Linn County Health Department has released a potential COVID-19 exposure advisory involving the Bell Game in Brookfield on September 3rd. As part of COVID-19 contact investigations, the health department advises anyone who attended the game to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19. Anyone who feels they may have been exposed should call the Linn County […]
Audio: Two hundred plus attend vaccine mandate protest at Wright Memorial Hospital
It is estimated more than 200 people attended a rally near Wright Memorial Hospital in Trenton on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, to show support for personal choice involving whether to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Spokesperson Nathan Rorebeck said the rally was for the vaccine mandate involving employees for the Saint Luke’s Health System, which includes Wright […]
MDC and partners offer deer hunting clinic for youth with terminal, chronic illness
The Missouri Department of Conservation, in partnership with Missouri Disabled Sportsmen, the Outdoor Dream Foundation, Dead End Game Calls, and the Rest Inn Him Lodge and Retreat Center, will offer a unique opportunity for youth with terminal or chronic illnesses to participate in a hunting clinic and mentored deer hunt this fall in northeast Missouri. […]
Wright Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer issues statement on rally protesting COVID-19 vaccination mandate
Wright Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer Steve Scheiber issued a statement this morning in response to the local rally that will be held today from noon to 1 o’clock. Rally participants are to park across the street from the hospital campus, on the Red Barn property in Trenton. The rally itself will take place at […]
Missouri will become the last state to enforce federal mental health parity act
(Missouri Independent) – Under a new state law that went into effect late last month, Missouri will become the final state to enforce a federal law designed to ensure mental health care is covered by insurance providers the same as treatments for physical ailments. The provisions were included in House Bill 604, an omnibus insurance bill […]
November trial set for lawsuit challenging $1.4 billion Missouri prison health care contract
(Missouri Independent) – A trial will be held in early November to determine whether a subsidiary of St. Louis-based Centene will take over the contract for prison health care in the Missouri Department of Corrections. In a hearing Thursday, Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green set Nov. 3 as the first day in the trial where current […]
Protest against vaccine mandate by St. Luke’s Health System to be held on Tuesday
Organizers expect a peaceful rally on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, to show support for what they consider a personal choice on whether hospital employees receive a COVID-19 vaccine. St. Luke’s Health System of Kansas City has mandated all employees receive a vaccine injection in September or October. This includes those that work at Wright Memorial […]
Supreme Court bows out, White House wades into Texas abortion battle
President Joe Biden stepped into the abortion battle in Texas Thursday, tasking federal agencies to see what steps can be taken to, in his words, “ensure that women in Texas have access to safe and legal abortions.” The law, which took effect Wednesday, bans most abortions after six weeks before most women know they are […]
Area health departments report on COVID-19 cases; announce dates of vaccine clinics
The Putnam County Health Department reports it has been notified of two female residents dying from complications of COVID-19. That brings the total number of deaths to 16. There have been 589 total cases, and five are active. Forty-three COVID-19-related hospitalizations have been reported for Putnam County. The Grundy County Health Department reports it received […]
Missouri Attorney General sends letter to KC Mayor and Jackson County executive providing “legal direction” on mask mandates
While litigation over the mask mandates continues, Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt sent a letter to Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Jackson County Executive Frank White noting the exceptions to the City and County’s mask mandates and providing “legal direction” to the public on these important exceptions, specifically for those with disabilities or those […]
Doctor Maureen Weber receives Service Excellence Champion Program Award
A hospitalist at Wright Memorial Hospital of Trenton and Hedrick Medical Center of Chillicothe received the Saint Luke’s Physician Group Service Excellence Champion Program Award. Doctor Maureen Weber was chosen for the award based on how she communicates with her patients and family members. The Service Excellence Champion Program recognizes Saint Luke’s Physician Group employees, […]
Grundy County Health Department to hold vaccine clinic; two health departments report on COVID-19 cases
The Grundy County Health Department will hold a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine clinic on September 7th. Anyone at least 18 years old can receive the free vaccine from 2 to 4 o’clock that afternoon. The health department reminds residents the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend vaccination even if someone has already had COVID-19. Schedule […]