Health and Poverty News

The New York Times, September 2, 2010: Child's Ordeal Reveals Risks Of Psychiatric Drugs in Young

"He is rambunctious and much thinner. Weaned off the drugs through a program affiliated with Tulane University that is aimed at helping low-income families whose children have mental health problems, Kyle now laughs easily and teases his family."

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, September 2, 2010: (Op-Ed) Emergencies rate as less urgent for Missouri's mentally ill

"He would carve out $127 million - a full one-third of the resources available to meet the low-income housing needs...- to create permanently supported housing for one of Missouri's most vulnerable populations: people suffering from acute metal illness and chronic homelessness."

The Associated Press, September 2, 2010: Low-income dental service expanded to Dodge City

"Three groups from Garden City have opened a dental clinic for low-income residents of Dodge City. The clinic is a project of the United Methodist Mexican-American Ministries, the Oral Health Taskforce and the Ford County Oral Health Commission."

The Clarion-Ledger, September 2, 2010: Deplorable living conditions: Jackson apartment residents voice discontent

"Dilapidated does not describe it. Dangerous does not convey the peril. And unhealthy does not illustrate the conditions. Dozens of low-income residents share those conditions - along with rats and bedbugs - at Willow Court Apartments in west Jackson."

Los Angeles Times, September 1, 2010: Mayor, activists say 'No on 23'

"The news conference in downtown's Vista Hermosa Park, with a view of the smoggy skyline, underscored the effort by opponents of the initiative to rally low-income Californians who live in heavily polluted neighborhoods. Materials were released in Spanish."

The Boston Globe, September 1, 2010: Senate's chief budget writer increases deficit estimates

"Rising welfare and homeless shelter caseloads are further burdening the budget, even as the state has qualified for $250 million in federal aid for school programs and received $450 million in other federal aid, said Senate Ways and Means chairman Steven C. Panagiotakos."

Charlotte Observer, August 30, 2010: Giving time, money, care

"The clinic, now run by executive director Amber Tracewell, serves the uninsured and low-income community in Mecklenburg and Union counties. It is completely free to patients, though a $10 donation per visit is encouraged."

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, August 27, 2010: (Op-Ed) Medicaid bailout will hurt Georgia

"Perhaps the best way to evaluate state Medicaid program generosity is to compare state Medicaid spending per person in poverty. New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island and Connecticut have extremely generous Medicaid programs."

The Associated Press, August 26, 2010: Low-income get help to buy from farmers markets

"Gov. Bill Richardson is providing $50,000 in federal economic stimulus money to help low-income New Mexicans buy food from farmers markets. The money will help people who qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program."

Courier-Post, August 26, 2010: Governor was wrong to veto funding for women's health care

"A case in point is occurring in New Jersey, where Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a bipartisan bill authorizing $7.4 million to help thousands of low-income women and their families receive vital health care services, including cancer screenings and other essential medical tests."

USA TODAY, August 25, 2010: Planting the seeds of good nutrition

"Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announces it will award $1 million in grants for eligible high-poverty schools to start community gardens. The goal: to teach students about gardening and nutrition and to provide fresh produce for school meals."

St. Petersburg Times, August 25, 2010: Work of compassion, hygiene for homeless

"Mick, a 2007 graduate of Leadership Pasco, had just assumed direction of the program's advisory board. Her story resonated with Bogart, and soon the class of 2010 had its marching orders. They would build two portable showers for homeless people."

The Macon Telegraph, August 25, 2010: Bibb schools launching health initiative

"The system hopes to teach students at these high-poverty schools about nutrition and fitness, train their parents to live healthier and allow teachers there to start wellness programs together."

The Associated Press State, August 24, 2010: Anxiety still rampant in Katrina kids, study says

"Osofsky, who has been working with children at St. Bernard, Plaquemines and Orleans parish schools since the storm, said Redlener's study shows the effects of poverty, the trauma of Katrina trauma and what followed."

Sacramento Bee, August 24, 2010: (Op-Ed) Bill would deliver fresh food to poor areas

"With some of the highest joblessness and obesity rates, low-income communities and communities of color are being hit first and worst. These are also the communities with the least access to fresh, nutritious food."

The Washington Post, August 22, 2010: FHA planner named in HOT lanes suit

"Attorneys for the Board of Supervisors this month added Edward S. Sundra... to its year-old federal lawsuit, which accuses Virginia and federal transportation officials of failing to consider air pollution's potential impact on the health of low-income and minority residents..."

The Associated Press, August 22, 2010: Grieving mom offers swim lessons to poor Ohio kids

"Seven out of 10 black children have little or no swimming ability, according to a study released last spring by USA Swimming, the sport's governing body. By comparison, six of 10 Hispanic children and four in 10 white children couldn't swim, the same report said."

The Bakersfield Californian, August 21, 2010: Doctors needed as health care reform approaches

"A multi-year pilot project known as the Kern Medical Center Health Plan has already enrolled about 5,500 formerly uninsured low-income patients in Kern over the past three years. "

The Washington Post, August 20, 2010: For homeless, changes bring promise of better health

"Homeless and unemployed, Tianne Hill said she dreads getting mail at the city shelter on Guilford Avenue where she lives because it often includes medical bills she can't pay."

Sacramento Bee, August 20, 2010: Money for low-income health centers dries up amid California budget impasse

"Health centers and community clinics that provide services for low-income Californians will be the latest casualty of the late state budget."

Albuquerque Journal, August 19, 2010: Residential Treatment Center To Close

"A drug rehabilitation center for homeless women will be shuttered because of the economic downturn, leaving fewer options for those looking to start over.Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless will close Tierra del Sol, its 11-bed residential treatment center for women..."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, August 19, 2010: Dental clinic serves uninsured in hard times

"The clinic provides free services for patients who qualify. They must be Butler County residents between 19 and 64 years old who earn incomes of 200 percent below the federal poverty level -- for instance, an annual income of $21,660 for an individual or $44,100 for a family of four."

The Wall Street Journal, August 18, 2010: Wisconsin Makes Push on Free Birth Control

"Wisconsin is pushing to expand a controversial program that uses federal Medicaid funds to provide free birth-control pills, vasectomies and other forms of contraception to low-income people, an effort made possible by the federal health-care overhaul."

The Washington Post, August 18, 2010: Health centers to compete for $250 million in grants

"Health centers across the country are lining up for a shot in the arm from the Obama administration: $250 million in federal grants to build clinics and bolster services at existing clinics for low-income patients such as public housing residents, the homeless..."

The Merced Sun-Star, August 18, 2010: Still a wait at Mercy Medical Center's ER -- just not as long as other hospitals

"The wait times are good news for the hospital, because across the state and nation, more people on Medicaid... are using hospital emergency rooms as their primary health care resource. Medicaid is the government's health insurance for low-income or needy people."

  1. © 2010 Spotlight on Poverty
  2. -
  3. Site by Treefort