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5 days ago | 
fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera
Women in New York and nationwide face challenges with alcohol use. Data from the state’s Department of Health data showed 13% of adult New York women are heavy or binge drinkers. American Addiction Centers finds more female high school students engaged in binge drinking than men in 2019. Haven Battles, director of the alcohol surveillance and epidemiology program for the New York State Department of Health, said alcohol abuse can have severe health consequences for young women.
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1 week ago | 
fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera
Groups advocating for New York retirees are backing a State Legislature bill requiring drug manufacturers to notify officials of any “pay-for-delay” actions preventing a brand-name medication from becoming a lower-cost generic drug. Senate Bill 488 would require drug-makers to inform the state of any steps they take to maintain brand-name status after the patent on a drug is scheduled to expire.
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1 week ago | 
fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera
With looming budget cuts to Medicaid, advocates are sounding the alarm about the potential effects on Community Health Centers in New York and nationwide. It is estimated the House budget cuts to Medicaid funding would mean more than 8 million people would lose their health coverage across the nation, including as many as 1 million in New York.
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1 month ago | 
fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera
Some New Yorkers are at a higher risk of exposure to forever chemicals in drinking water. An Environmental Working Group analysis found 189 of the state’s water systems have PFAS levels above the federal standard but below New York’s standard. Adrienne Esposito, executive director of the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, said Long Island faces a higher risk of PFAS exposure since all its water comes from the same aquifer.
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1 month ago | 
fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera
New York and the nation could face poorer air quality because of rollbacks on vehicle emission standards. The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill ending waivers for other states and the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt California’s emission standards. The rollback comes as the American Lung Association’s new “State of the Air” report found New York counties received mixed air quality rankings.
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1 month ago | 
fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera
The U.S. Justice Department is suing New York State over a 2024 climate law. The Climate Change Superfund Act fines the largest greenhouse gas emission contributors between 2000 and 2018. That money goes into a fund, which will be used to help the state adapt to climate change. The DOJ’s lawsuit stems from an executive order calling for the Attorney General to crack down on climate change laws.
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1 month ago | 
publicnewsservice.org | Edwin J. Viera
A new report showed Delaware is making strides in building its school mental health services. The report found the state has expanded its ratio of students to social workers at schools, thanks in part to bills passed in the last two years. A 2024 law required the Department of Health and Social Services to apply for school Medicaid reimbursement.
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1 month ago | 
fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera
A new report finds New York is bolstering school-based mental health, but has more work to do. The report from the group Inseparable finds the state has a high number of school psychologists and counselors, but lags in school social workers. The report also finds schools lack mentally healthy climates. Nathan McLaughlin,executive director ofthe National Association of Mental Illness New York State, said mental health stigmas can make it hard for students to be open about what’s ailing them.
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2 months ago | 
ctlatinonews.com | Edwin J. Viera
Community groups are coming together to expand voting rights to all Connecticut residents. The Connecticut Right to Vote Campaign says it aims to ensure all lawful permanent residents would be able to vote, as well as encourage them to turn out for local, state and federal elections. The campaign’s centerpiece is HJ 26, a bill that would allow lawful permanent residents to vote. Helen Quinonez, a community organizer with Make the Road Connecticut, said the campaign and bill have widespread support.
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2 months ago | 
fingerlakes1.com | Edwin J. Viera
A new survey found New Yorkers widely support public banking. The Community Service Society of New York survey showed more than half of people would support creating a public bank, run as a nonprofit by a local or state government, rather than being owned by private investors. Bills to create a public banking system are being considered by the state Legislature and the New York City Council, but have yet to pass.
