AUSTIN, Texas -- Los adultos mayores han sido los más vulnerables a enfermedades y decesos por la pandemia Coronavirus, y la AARP Texas trabaja sin parar para mejorar las condiciones en las instalaciones de atención de largo plazo. Algunas familias reportan experiencias positivas con sus seres queridos en asilos, mientras otras dicen que hace falta más transparencia y comunicación. Comentan Tina Tran, directora de AARP en Texas; y dos habitantes de Texas que tienen seres queridos en instalaciones de atención a largo plazo: Randy Jones, en Kemah, y Diane Pope, en San Antonio.

Se estima que la mitad de quienes han muerto a causa del Covid-19 eran residentes en algún asilo de ancianos, y los defensores de las personas de la tercera edad quieren que Texas aborden la crisis en todos los niveles de gobierno.

La Directora de AARP Texas, Tina Tran, dice que los funcionarios locales y del estado, junto con los legisladores de Texas, necesitan priorizar la salud y seguridad de los adultos mayores en instalaciones de atención de largo plazo, aportando información oportuna para ayudar a que las familias a tomar decisiones.

"Queremos que las instalaciones aseguren que estan ofreciendo examenes y que tienen el equipo adecuado de proteccion personal; nos gustaria exigir informes diarios de las instalaciones para ayudar a manejar la respuesta de salud publica y tener informadas a las familias."

Tran afirma que los fondos son críticos para garantizar el reclutamiento, entrenamiento y la retención suficientes en las instalaciones para ofrecer a los pacientes la atención adecuada. Agrega que es importante que las familias estén en contacto constante con sus seres amados a través de "chats" o llamadas por teléfono.

Comunicarse ha sido crítico para Randy Jones, cuya madre de 85 años se recupera en su asilo, en las afueras de Houston, luego de contraer el Covid-19. Randy considera que donde su madre recibe atención es uno de los mejores lugares, pero necesita priorizar el contacto con la familia porque muchos adultos mayores no son expertos en tecnología.

"Parte de su plan de contingencia debe ser 'Con quién puede comunicarse esta gente'; ¿Como podemos facilitarlo? Podemos llevar iPads a sus cuartos cinco minutos diarios para que hablen con su familia y les digan como se estan sintiendo - los planes de contingencia deben considerar esto."

Hasta antes de la crisis, Diane Pope llevaba a su padre de 95 años a largos recorridos cerca del asilo de San Antonio. Ahora depende del teléfono para comunicarse con él.

"Los veo interactuar con el y todos usan tapa-bocas -y cuando hay un problema con el internet, que desafortunadamente es frecuente, se enoja mucho pero ya aprendio que puede llamarle a alguien y que si no se reconecta pronto, me llamaran de nuevo."

Hasta hace poco no había requisitos federales para que los asilos reportaran contagios o muertes por coronavirus. La A-A-R-P quiere que todos los centros de larga estancia registren datos sobre casos y muertes vinculados al Covid-19.

Se estima que aproximadamente la mitad de quienes han muerto por Covid-19 han sido residentes de asilos, y los defensores de las personas mayores quieren que Texas aborde la crisis desde todos los niveles de gobierno. Un reporte de Roz Brown.

After more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation.

Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose.

Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill which would open the door for what they say are more costly, but more powerful, antidotes.

"Given the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities, and how much stronger some of these drugs that we're now seeing are, we believe -- and in talking with others -- that there should be other tools to respond to an overdose," Hertel explained. "To make sure we're doing everything we can to save somebody's life."

Not everyone is on board with the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 542. Opponents argued the more expensive naloxone alternatives are not necessary, and using them would only increase profits for the pharmaceutical industry.

Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, said while the naloxone alternatives do help in overdose situations, they can also cause nasty side effects.

"The newer approaches, they put people into more severe withdrawal," Stoltman pointed out. "That's a pretty profound negative side effect. The one approach is very inexpensive and works great; the other approach is far more expensive and has this strong negative side effect."

Sponsors of the bill say they're hoping to give Michigan residents a chance to chime in on the issue in a public hearing sometime in June. Michigan saw more than 3,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2021.


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New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.

Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.

"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained

Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.

Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.

"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.

Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.

New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.

The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.

"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.

Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.

Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."

"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.

Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.