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Nearly 1,000 positive cases, 14 deaths associated with Tennessee programs for people with disabilities
The toll COVID-19 has taken on people with intellectual or developmental disabilities in Tennessee continues to climb: there are now 14 people dead and 333 more who have tested positive for the virus among the people served by state programs. The men and women are among about 12,000 served by public programs overseen by the […]
Workers compensation for COVID-19 an uphill battle for Tennessee workers
More than 40% of initial COVID-19-related workers’ compensations filings in Tennessee have been denied, according to data provided by state’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Among workers most likely to get an initial “no” for seeking medical expenses and lost wages as a result of claiming they contracted the disease on the job? Agricultural, […]
Metro Health’s role in vaccine trials prompts internal conflict
Among the Nashville institutions assuming a role in upcoming clinical trials for a potential COVID-19 vaccine is the Metro Public Health Department, a decision receiving pushback from some members of its oversight board. The decision for the already overstretched department to partner with a private for-profit company in a vaccine trial has not received the […]
State asks judge to lift injunction on Tennessee’s heartbeat abortion law
Attorneys for the state are asking a federal judge to set aside a preliminary injunction barring a “heartbeat” abortion law from taking in effect. In a Friday legal filing, state attorneys notified U.S. District Judge William Campbell they plan to appeal his July 24 order temporarily halting Tennessee’ controversial abortion law from being enforced. They […]
How Nashville will play a critical role in developing the COVID-19 vaccine
In the national race to develop a vaccine against COVID-19, officially dubbed “Operation Warp Speed,” Nashville residents are at the starting gate. Two major Phase III vaccine trials are separately getting underway at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Meharry Medical College. A Nashville research firm is tentatively partnering with the Metro Health Department on two […]
Lawmakers begin review of sweeping emergency powers granted to governor
Since the onset of the pandemic in Tennessee, Gov. Bill Lee has drawn on sweeping emergency powers granted under state law to issue 44 executive orders, including stay-at-home orders, business closures and limits on nursing home visitors. On Thursday, state lawmakers met to consider whether those powers should be reigned in going forward. “Does (the […]
Tennessee now only state to pursue plan for Medicaid block grant
Tennessee remains the only state actively pursuing a controversial Medicaid block grant touted by the Trump Administration in January as a “game-changer” that would radically rejigger financing for the federal-state public health insurance program that covers 1 in 5 Americans. Last week, Oklahoma’s Republican governor, Gov. Kevin Stitt, informed federal officials he was scrapping plans […]
Six school districts require teachers in class after COVID-19 exposure
Beth Brown, president of the Tennessee Education Association, has been fielding increasingly anxious calls from teacher-members, some who learned last week their school districts had adopted a policy requiring employees potentially exposed to coronavirus to report to work instead of isolating at home. In at least six districts across Tennessee, educators have been told they […]
Legislature passes bill to protect businesses from COVID-19 liability
A Gov. Bill Lee-backed measure that will shield public and private entities from legal liability over COVID-19 deaths or illnesses was approved by Tennessee lawmakers on Wednesday along party lines. The measure establishes high legal hurdles for anyone — an employee, a customer or a surviving loved one — who allege they contracted COVID-19 as […]
COVID-19 liability legislation moves forward
The Tennessee legislature reconvened today to fast-track Gov. Bill Lee’s proposed legislation to exempt public and private companies and institutions from legal liability related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In separate committee hearings on Tuesday, during a specially called session expected to wrap up in less than a week, Democratic lawmakers argued unsuccessfully against the measure. […]
Outbreak at Bordeaux residential facility for delinquent youth infects 28 kids, 15 staff
A COVID-19 outbreak at a Nashville facility that cares for children in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services infected 28 children and 15 staff members, according to data provided by the child welfare agency. Standing Tall Music City in Bordeaux provides mental health, drug and alcohol use and other treatment to boys […]
Metro health board approves revised plan to share limited COVID patient data with first responders
A temporary plan approved by the Metro Board of Health on Thursday will allow first responders to access information on individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 under highly proscribed circumstances. The Metro Public Health Department had previously shared patient names and addresses with law enforcement before the controversial data-sharing arrangement was halted in June. […]