Volume 26, Number 449: July 25, 2005

Cover Story - States Connecting Farms to Schools To Improve Nutrition
A growing number of states are implementing programs that are designed to prevent and fight obesity by enabling low-income communities and schools to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s a two-fer, proponents say: more people have access to nutritious foods while local farms have an outlet for their produce.

Primary Care News - States Enacting Laws Requiring Vision Screening
Two out of three children do not receive eye exams before they begin school – even though eye problems can cause blindness and serious developmental problems. Some states are requiring that all children have their eyesight screened before they enter school.

Highlights
NY Medicaid fraud … SCHIP funds … Women’s health … Single-payer plans …. MA health costs … PA hospital infections … U.S. health spending … Meth in MI, OR… Tobacco in KA

Graphically Speaking - States Expand Conditions for Which They Screen Newborns
More states are expanding the number of conditions for which newborns must be screened. The March of Dimes recommends that newborns be screened for 29 rare but potentially deadly conditions.

FYI - States Eye Ways to Protect Children from Air Pollution
A 10-year study shows that current levels of air pollution have adverse effects on the development of children’s lungs. Some states are considering steps to protect their kids from things like bus exhaust.

Volume 26, Number 448: July 11, 2005

Cover Story - Prison Health: States Struggle with Aging Inmate Population
States are struggling to cope with soaring medical costs for prisoners, brought on by the rising costs of health-care, longer sentences and costly illnesses such as HIV. States are trying to control their costs by contracting with managed care organizations, adopting hospice programs, and permitting some prisoners to obtain “compassionate release.” But the outlook isn’t rosy.

Focus On ... Iowa Uses Loss of IGTs to Expand Medicaid
Iowa has obtained a unique waiver: when the state was told to stop using IGTs, the state created a capped Medicaid program for low-income adults. IowaCare enrollees must obtain their care from one of two providers, and they must pay premiums and co-pays.

Highlights
MO Medicaid cuts … OH suggests reforms … WA limits antidepressants … IL prison for substance abusers … Meth devastates counties … HIV affecting seniors … AZ child abuse prevention … IL dental care … AL sex ed … Seniors threatened

Graphically Speaking - Cigarette Tax Increases Boost Revenues, Decrease Smoking
States are boosting revenue with cigarette taxes.