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Huntsville man awaits coronavirus results, says doctor struggled to find lab to test

A Huntsville man who just returned from Europe said a doctor spent an hour on the phone trying to find a lab in Alabama to test him for coronavirus, and eventually decided to send his sample to a commercial lab.  The 39-year-old man, who asked not to be named, told APR on Thursday his family … Continued
March 13, 2020

Medical marijuana bill passes the Senate

Thursday, the Alabama Senate passed a bill that, if passed by the House and signed by the governor, would make Alabama the 34th state in the country to legalize medical marijuana. Senate Bill 165 was sponsored by State Senator Tim Melson, R-Florence. “This is a big step for Alabama,” Melson said. “But there is still … Continued
March 13, 2020

Senate committee rejects bill that would have banned smoking in cars with children

Wednesday, the Alabama Senate Health Committee rejected a House bill that would have banned smoking and vaping in motor vehicles if there is a child under 14 years of age present. House Bill 46 was sponsored by State Representatives Rolanda Hollis, D-Birmingham. HB46 as introduced by Hollis would have banned smoking with children in automobiles. … Continued
March 13, 2020

Scott Harris updates House Health Committee on coronavirus crisis

Wednesday, House Health Committee Chairman Paul Lee (R-Dothan) asked Alabama Public Health Officer Scott Harris and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama Vice President for Governmental Affairs Ted Hosp to provide an update on the coronavirus theat. Harris said as you know, we have not had a lot of testing. “I have no doubt,” we … Continued
March 13, 2020

Democrats drop four pieces of legislation to expand Medicaid in response to rural health care crisis, COVID-19 pandemic

Today, Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, introduced a bill, HB448, to extend Medicaid coverage for new and expectant mothers for up to a year postpartum, while Rep. Mary Moore, D-Birmingham, introduced a bill, HB447, to fully expand Medicaid coverage. Rep. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, introduced two resolutions, supporting his colleagues bills and urging the Governor to expand … Continued
March 13, 2020

House unanimously approves major initiative to expand, improve mental health services

Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter, R – Rainsville, on Thursday praised House passage of a major legislative initiative designed to expand and improve the mental health services available to Alabama citizens. “Republicans and Democrats in Alabama are traditionally on opposing sides of most issues, so it is a special opportunity when both parties can work together … Continued
March 13, 2020

Jones, colleagues introduce bipartisan bill to address medical supply vulnerability due to COVID-19

U.S. Senator Doug Jones, D-Ala., alongside a bipartisan group of his colleagues, has introduced legislation to safeguard America’s medical supply chain and address shortages due to the United States’ dependence on foreign-made medical equipment.   Approximately 40 percent of finished drugs and 80 percent of active pharmaceutical ingredients are manufactured overseas, primarily from China and … Continued
March 13, 2020

Alabama is simply unprepared for the coronavirus crisis

At a House Health Committee meeting on Wednesday, state health officer Dr. Scott Harris said he did not doubt that novel coronavirus would be found here in Alabama if there was more testing. The deadly COVID-19 virus is here, and people are sick and most likely, some will die. Around the state, people are being … Continued
March 12, 2020

Alabama Secretary of State issues response to Coronavirus preparation

Last week, Alabama witnessed what may yet be another record voter turnout during a Presidential Preference Primary Election, as our state has seen over the last four major elections. With the severe weather and looming threat of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), more than 33 percent of all eligible Alabamians still participated in the Super Tuesday election. … Continued
March 12, 2020