By Yiqing Wang/WHRO State lawmakers have budgeted nearly $15 million over two years to help Virginia Medicaid cover gene therapy treatments for people with sickle cell disease, a move providers said could help patients access this complex treatment more easily. The funding is tied to a federal model designed to help Medicaid programs pay for expensive cell […] more

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling that states can keep transgender youth off of girls' sports teams raised hopes for Maryland lawmakers who have long tried to get such a law, and brought renewed commitment from advocates that that will never happen in the state. more

• “Judge rules Virginia gun law injunctions apply statewide.” — WWBT • “Virginia Department of Corrections investigating 3 inmate deaths in 3 days.” — WTVR • “Virginia Tech braces for expected grad student enrollment decline.” — Cardinal News • “Is solar energy enough to power Virginia’s robust, growing data center industry?” — WJLA • “Save […] more

Upcoming funding shifts in the federal food stamp program are poised to cost states billions of dollars, heightening fears that more Americans will lose access to the nation’s largest food assistance program. Last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act made major changes to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or SNAP, including new eligibility and work […] more

Hoosiers suffering mental health crises are visiting public libraries for help — transforming the role of librarians who act simultaneously as researchers, archivists and quasi-social workers. Mental Health America of Indiana is stepping in to train librarians in how to respond to these crises and direct patrons to reliable information on suicide prevention, addiction treatment […] more

(BPT) - Key takeaways:In today's economic climate, customers need financing options to help them shop at small businesses.Small business owners can offer a variety of financing options to help boost … more

Ohio is the state that saw the biggest drop in enrollment in health plans under the Affordable Care Act, according to federal data first reported by the Associated Press.  The losses come after the Republican-controlled Congress last year allowed pandemic-era subsidies to buy insurance on ACA exchanges to expire. That caused premiums to double for […] more

Costs, provider availability, and health insurance limitations were the top reasons Ohio children were not able to access mental healthcare, according to a recent study from the Health Policy Institute of Ohio.  Nearly half said unaccepted health insurance was the reason their child did not receive mental healthcare treatment while 40% said provider availability and […] more

South Dakota-based Sanford Health has committed to maintaining core services at its Robbinsdale hospital for two years if it successfully acquires North Memorial Health. “We would have loved to say that we would make that a 25-year commitment, right? Because that’s our hope, that’s our goal. But the reality is … healthcare is incredibly challenging […] more

HELENA — More than 100 people from across the state gathered in the Montana Capitol rotunda on Wednesday to protest cuts to Medicaid as well as new work requirements to access the health insurance program. Catalyst Montana, an advocacy-focused nonprofit, hosted the gathering, which included speeches from healthcare professionals, politicians and others impacted by the […] more