Arkansas, WVa Transgender Restrictions Blocked By Federal Judges

The laws – Arkansas banned gender-based treatment for teenagers and West Virginia banned transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports – are among several restrictions on transgender rights enacted in Republican states this year. As part of the state’s other legal effort, Mississippi officials are finalizing their briefs on a Supreme Court case regarding the state’s strict abortion law.

AP: Federal judges block transgender restrictions in 2 states

Federal judges on Wednesday temporarily blocked a law in Arkansas banning treatment of transgender youth and a ban on transgender youth in West Virginia, two major victories for LGBTQ attorneys against a wave of restrictions approved by Republican lawmakers. The Arkansas ruling prevents the state from enforcing the first state to prohibit doctors under the age of 18 from offering gender-specific hormone therapy, puberty blockers, or gender reassignment surgery. The law, due to go into effect July 28, also prohibited doctors from referring the minors to other providers for such treatment. (DeMillo and Raby, 7/22)

AP: Mississippi is making arguments in a landmark abortion case

The Mississippi Attorney General is expected to file briefs with the US Supreme Court on Thursday to set out the state’s arguments in a case that could turn nearly 50 years of abortion law judgments nationwide upside down. A 6-3 conservative majority, with three judges appointed by former President Donald Trump, said in May the court would consider arguments over a Mississippi bill that would ban abortion after 15 weeks. The judges will likely hear the case in the fall and decide on it in the spring. (Wagster Pettus, July 22nd)

In updates from the USA –

Stateline: States are prepared for a wave of COVID lawsuits that never arrived

In a legislative vortex, 30 states introduced liability coverage in late 2020 and early 2021 to protect companies from COVID-19 lawsuits, fearing companies could be sued for exposing workers, customers or suppliers to the rapidly spreading, deadly disease . These lawsuits did not materialize. Proponents of the new laws say the laws have deterred potential litigation. However, critics say the measures created a solution in search of a problem as most employees who do so under existing occupational safety regulations, as enforced by the Federal Occupational Health and Safety Agency, or under union rules. (Powitsch, July 21st)

Detroit Free Press: Michigan House Cancels Emergency Act on Whitmer Used

A 76-year-old Michigan bill, created after the Detroit race riot and more recently used to combat a generational health crisis, is officially dead. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted 60-48 largely along the party lines on Wednesday for the initiative petition language, which repeals the Emergency Act of 1945. The vote came a week after the state Senate approved the initiative. Governor Gretchen Whitmer used the law to enact extensive health and safety restrictions in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, which were eventually pushed back by Republicans and other opponents. (Boucher, July 21st)

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How Police and Counselors Respond to Milwaukee Mental Health Calls

“There is one.” Milwaukee police officer Chandra Fuller pointed to an upcoming emergency call on her departmental laptop. A woman in her fifties told a dispatcher that she was homeless and felt suicidal. She had harmed herself in the past, but not anymore. She hadn’t taken her medication. It was exactly the kind of call Fuller and her partner Jordan Hoeft, a county psychiatrist, are trained to answer. (Luthern, July 21st)

And in news of health threats –

Fox News: Michigan Reports Rise in Legionnaires’ Disease

Michigan health officials are investigating a recent increase in cases of Legionnaires’ disease or severe pneumonia. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services identified 107 cases between July 1 and July 14 that were reported in 25 counties, a 569% increase over the same period in 2020 and a 161% increase over the year corresponds to the same period in 2019. (Rivas, 7/21)

Fox News: Florida Town hit by “triple threat” of respiratory disease

Tampa Bay, Florida is battling a unique combination of three different respiratory diseases that lead to mass hospital admissions. Doctors in the region call it a “triple threat”. Red tide, COVID-19 and bronchitis are “at war” in the region, doctors from the WFLA said. Red tide is a noxious bloom of algae that can cause respiratory problems in humans. Doctors say symptoms usually include a short-lived but intense cough that can sometimes be fatal. Experts said this year’s bloom was the worst the area has seen since 1971. (Lewitas, July 21st)

Oklahoman: Norman Parks, Cleveland County Health Partner for Mosquito Control

Those who have tried enjoying outdoor activities probably too [have] faced with trying to drive away pesky mosquitoes. The city of Norman Parks and Recreation Department and the Cleveland County Health Department have teamed up to curb the city’s growing mosquito population and raise awareness of ways to prevent their spread across the community. After record rainfall in June, Norman has seen an increase in mosquito populations, including flood mosquitoes, according to a city news release. In response, Norman activates its Vector (Mosquito) Monitoring program, which identifies 14 districts in Norman that are monitored daily using light-based mosquito traps. (7/21)

This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a round-up of health coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.

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