SUMMARY: Valentino Valdez, released from a Texas prison in 2019, struggled without health insurance or mental health support after years in the juvenile justice system. After expressing suicidal thoughts, he realized that earlier treatment could have significantly eased his transition to independent living. A new federal law aims to connect eligible incarcerated youth with Medicaid and CHIP services before release, potentially reducing their reoffending rates. While intended improvements in health care for these young people are significant, implementing the law in correctional facilities will require extensive changes, as many facilities currently lack the necessary systems for compliance.

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SUMMARY: Funcionarios de vivienda de California están pidiendo a los legisladores que establezcan estándares de refrigeración residencial, citando el alto número de muertes por calor extremo. El Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Comunitario propuso una temperatura máxima interior de 82 grados Fahrenheit para las 14.6 millones de unidades residenciales del estado. A pesar de la oposición de propietarios y constructores debido a los costos, el informe sugiere incentivos para modernizar viviendas. Un estudio de 2023 muestra que el 67% de los californianos apoya estos estándares. La falta de refrigeración puede aumentar las muertes anuales a 11,300 en 2050 debido a olas de calor.

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SUMMARY: Latonia Wilkins, a 52-year-old Atlanta mother, struggles to access PrEP, a drug that prevents HIV infections, despite needing it due to her non-monogamous lifestyle. She faced doctors reluctant to prescribe it and challenges with insurance coverage for the injectable form. Georgia has the highest HIV infection rates but low PrEP uptake, particularly among Black individuals and women. Recent federal guidance should improve access to PrEP; however, barriers remain, including transportation, stigma, and a lack of awareness. Wilkins is currently in a trial for a long-acting injectable version as she navigates these obstacles to preventive care.

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The post Biden Rule Cleared Hurdles to Lifesaving HIV Drug, but in Georgia Barriers Remain appeared first on kffhealthnews.org