PORT ORCHARD, Wash. - El índice de suicidios en Washington es de 15 muertes por cada 100,000 habitantes, 25% mayor a la media nacional; y en algunos condados del estado, incluso superior.

La League of Women Voters (Liga de Mujeres Votantes) del Condado Kitsap considera que es una alarmante epidemia lo que descubrió cuando revisaba la causa de muertes en el estado: la que encabeza la lista es el suicidio.

En ese Condado, más del 80 por ciento de las muertes por arma de fuego corresponden a personas que se quitaron la vida. Tal dato provocó que iniciara un Programa de Prevención del Suicidio (SPP, por sus siglas en inglés), y que se realizara el primer foro público que durante la primavera pasada abordó el tema en el Condado.

La legislatura encargó al comité de dicho programa un Plan de Acción sobre el Suicidio. Susanne Hughes, quien representa a la Liga de Mujeres Votantes dentro del comité, asegura que un paso crítico para manejar el problema es animar a la gente a que hable sobre el suicidio.

“Tenemos que superar el estigma del suicidio –afirmó Hughes–. Es crucial que familiares o amistades de la persona le pregunten: ‘¿Estás pensando en suicidarte?’ Es un mito pensar que si mencionas el tema eso le dará la idea a la persona.”

El comité tiene un año para elaborar el informe preliminar y presentar sus recomendaciones al estado. Las estadísticas indican que aproximadamente mil washingtonianos se quitan la vida cada año, más que la norma nacional.

Gran parte del esfuerzo de prevención del suicido está dirigido a adolescentes y adultos jóvenes; pero sobre eso Greg Sandstorm, Coronel del Condado Kitsap, tiene la esperanza de que el suicidio del actor Robin Williams cambie una parte de esa atención a otro grupo de edad.

“La inmensa mayoría son hombres en su edad media los que se están quitando la vida –indicó–, sobre todo con armas de fuego. Así que aunque es muy importante llegar a los jóvenes, debemos difundir el mensaje de que no son sólo los jóvenes, sino gente en sus 30s, 40s y 50s.”

Recientemente se aprobó que Washington se incorpore a un sistema más integral de reportes de muertes, a través de los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (Centers for Desease Control and Prevention), que ya utilizan 18 estados del país. Susanne Hughes explica que el sistema reúne información sobre la salud mental y física de las víctimas, sus relaciones, trabajo y finanzas, todo en un esfuerzo por encontrar y conocer mejor las variables sensibles.

“Registra homicidios, pero también suicidios –explicó–. Es un sistema anónimo, y no habrá nombres asociados con esto; más bien es mucho más exhaustivo que lo que tenemos hoy en el estado de Washington. Así que nos da mucho gusto.”

La Semana Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio comienza el domingo 7 de septiembre.

Las estadísticas de suicidios pueden verse en www.intheforefront.org/media/stats.


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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.