November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and a newly released report
shows far too few Nebraskans at high risk for lung cancer are getting the recommended screening.

The American Lung Association's latest "State of Lung Cancer" report ranks Nebraska 33rd for lung cancer screening -- at less than 4% of those who are at risk.

Julia McCarville, executive director of the American Lung Association in Nebraska, said although lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women, the nationwide outlook improved somewhat between 2015 and 2019.

"The five-year survival rate increased from 22% up to 26.6%, and additionally, we're seeing the survival rate increasing at a faster pace among communities of color, so it is no longer significantly lower compared to white individuals," McCarville said.

McCarville stressed that a low-dose CT scan can lead to an earlier diagnosis. And when lung cancer is caught at an early stage, it can increase one's chances of surviving five years by more than 60% . At Savedbythescan.org, people can assess their risk for lung cancer and their eligibility for a low-dose CT scan.

Some 10% to 20% of those diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked, and McCarville said anyone with concerning symptoms -- such as a lingering cough, chest pain, shortness of breath or frequent lung infections - should talk with their doctor about getting a low-dose CT scan.

Dr. Sumit Mukherjee, medical director of thoracic oncology for Methodist Health System, calls it a "huge missed opportunity" that so few people who are eligible are getting screened. He explained that screening should be done with a low-dose CT scan, not a chest X-ray.

"Because you just don't see these little spots in the lungs on chest X-rays, and by the time you can see them on X-ray, lung cancer becomes more advanced generally at that time," Mukherjee said.

Mukherjee added that part of the explanation for lung cancer being the leading cause of cancer deaths is the fact that it is often diagnosed at a late stage.

He said there is a movement to help women, especially those at high risk, become as accepting of regular screening for lung cancer as they are for breast cancer. More non-smoking women than non-smoking men are diagnosed with lung cancer.

"We all focus so much with women and breast cancer, and there is great screening and education behind breast cancer awareness and screening, and really more women die of lung cancer than breast cancer and colon cancer combined," Mukherjee said.

For those who do receive a diagnosis of lung cancer, Mukherjee added there are a number of better technologies and medications available now than in the past. However, he stressed that lung cancer is still a very deadly form of cancer that can have a profound impact on people's lives.

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.