Untreated mental illness On Nov. 29, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a plan aimed at people with severe mental illness (SMI). Mayor Adams said New Yorkers had a “moral obligation” to act when they saw people with SMI living on the streets in the throes of their illness. This directive allows New York Police

Reproductive Health Kentucky voted against an anti-abortion constitutional amendment that would have stated that there was no right to abortion in the state. Montana voted against criminalizing providers who do not assist a “born alive” infant after an abortion. Vermont, California, and Michigan enshrined abortion rights in their constitution. Harm Reduction Health Policy If you

Since the 2020 elections, 42 restrictive voting laws have been passed in 21 states. Many of these laws implemented voter ID requirements, which disproportionately disenfranchise people of color and people experiencing homelessness (PEH). Obtaining an ID can be a near insurmountable obstacle for PEH: You need ID to obtain ID, and many PEH have lost all of their vital records when evicted

Medicaid requirements and flexibilities during the COVID-19 public health emergency have protected the most vulnerable populations in our country.  Lack of medical treatment is often a cause of homelessness, and continued barriers to care perpetuate suffering and poverty. Medicaid opens the door for our patients to receive wraparound care for physical and social determinants of health. In

Primary audience: health care organizations and providers The new mental health hotline — 988 — has been heralded as a major step forward in responding to mental health crises without police involvement and the use of force. However, the program does not yet live up to its promises to stop a law enforcement response to a medical need.