MEDFORD, Ore. -- El proveedor de vehículos "Mercy Flights" para emergencias, está contactando gente en el Condado Jackson, fuera de las instalaciones de emergencia. Se trata de un modelo de atención preventiva que busca mantener a las personas fuera del hospital.

Los primeros en brindar atención van más allá de las emergencias, para apoyar a la gente en el sur de Oregon. "Mercy Flights" (Vuelos de Misericordia) es proveedor de transporte de emergencia en el Condado Jackson.

Meg Wills, de la organización "Jackson Care Connect", dice que su organización colabora con Mercy Flights para que un equipo de paramédicos especialmente capacitados pueda implementar un sistema único de apoyo para gente que llega con frecuencia al hospital.

"Lo que pueden hacer los paramedicos integrados ambulantes de "Mercy Flights Mobile" es cubrir de cuidados a la gente que haya sido identificada en esas condiciones agudas y asegurarse de contactarla con los servicios, que idealmente evitaran que vuelvan a internarse en un hospital."

Wills dice que el equipo ofrece hasta 30 días de apoyo adicional luego de que se les da de alta, incluyendo una evaluación y ayuda a domicilio para, por ejemplo, enseñar a las personas sobre sus medicamentos.

Sabrina Ballew, Supervisora del programa de Atención Integral a la Salud en "Mercy Flights", dice que los paramédicos de este programa pueden evaluar a las personas en donde sea.

"Los veremos cuando les acomode. Pudiera ser en la calle, en una esquina, en una cafeteria, en sus casas."

El equipo tiene bastantes soluciones a su disposición. Pueden contactar gente con tratamientos con medicamentos para evaluar un abuso de substancias, o para repartir cajas de alimentos, lo que ha sido especialmente importante durante la pandemia del COVID-19. Ballew dice que la ayuda puede ser tan sencilla como conseguirle a alguien su medicamento.

"Se les da de alta pero no tienen en que regresar para recoger sus medicinas, o sus medicinas no estan listas, o simplemente no tienen fuerzas o no entienden el proceso. Asi que nuestro equipo va, recoge sus medicinas y se las lleva a su casa."

Willis dice que entre 75 y 80 por ciento de la gente que contactan se inscribe al programa. Agrega que uno de los factores más poderosos es cómo son los paramédicos itinerantes.

"Andan por la comunidad y en verdad contactan a la gente en esos momentos cuando hay oportunidad de realmente reflexionar y pensar sobre... 'Que es lo que necesito en este momento para ya no regresar aqui?'"

Quienes atienden primero las llamadas van mas alla de las emergencias y apoyan a la gente del sur de Oregon.

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.