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Network Report
Thursday, August 25, 2022
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August is Civic Health Month, a time dedicated to ensuring that every voter has the information they need to participate in elections and understand how that participation can improve their health and the health of their communities. The relationship between voting and health has been visualized in the Health & Democracy Index, and since its launch, the Network has worked with Dr. Scot Schraufnagel, Chair of the Department of Political Science at Northern Illinois University, to further explore the data behind the Index. In this Q&A, Dr. Schraufnagel discusses this current research and its implications.
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Advancing Health Equity Through Voter Participation
Our health and the health of our democracy are deeply connected. When people vote, they exercise their voice on decisions that have a big impact on their health and the health of their family and neighbors. Analysis from the Health & Democracy Index shows a clear relationship between inclusive voting policies and better health outcomes: States with more inclusive voting policies and greater levels of civic participation are healthier; states with exclusionary voting laws and lower levels of civic participation are less healthy.
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The End of the Public Health Emergency: Can the ADA Mitigate Risks to People with Disabilities?
The end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) will create additional risks for people with disabilities. During the pandemic, under the authority granted by the declaration of the PHE, federal agencies took several steps to allow state Medicaid agencies to maintain health care coverage and Medicaid-funded home and community-based services for people with disabilities. Federal agencies also granted state Medicaid agencies a range of flexibilities, including changes to Medicaid enrollment and assessments, intended to facilitate enrollment in Medicaid and the maintenance of coverage while reducing COVID-19 exposure risks.
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Emergency Legal Preparedness: Monkeypox
On August 5th, the White House declared Monkeypox a public health emergency. This resource outlines key legal and policy guidance since the inception of the Monkeypox outbreak and resulting public health emergency responses including a brief snapshot of epidemiologic and medical developments; U.S. legal preparedness, response, and recovery efforts; and public health emergency declarations and powers.
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Abortion Access: Post-Dobbs Litigation Themes
Following the Court’s decision in Dobbs, some states have sought to provide greater or enhanced protections for abortion access. Other states, however, have initiated a series of measures to greatly limit or inhibit abortions. These actions include (a) implementation of pre-existing “trigger” laws banning procedures the moment abortion was no longer a federal constitutional right; (b) enforcement of decades-old laws banning abortion that were never repealed (following the Supreme Court’s initial decision affirming a right to abortion in Roe); and (c) passage of new statutes restricting abortions. This fact sheet provides an illustrative discussion of key emerging themes from litigation challenging state-based anti-abortions laws or policies.
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2022 Public Health Law Summit: Navigating the Fast-Changing Landscape of Equity and Cannabis Law and Policy
September 13 – 14, 2022 | Baltimore, MD
Join us for a Summit on the quickly changing landscape of law and policy in both health equity and cannabis. Health equity sessions will address data, the digital divide, reproductive health care, vaccination policy, disability and more. Experts in cannabis law and policy will discuss key issues and solutions related to state legalization of cannabis; creating a regulatory environment that promotes consumer safety, product safety, and equity; critical cannabis science; Federal cannabis law and policy; social justice and equity; and Hemp derived products and novel cannabinoids. View the full schedule and register.
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2022 Public Health Law Summit: Climate Change and Health Equity
October 12 – 14, 2022 | Minneapolis, MN
Attend this Summit to engage with others to build a shared understanding of how public health law can and should make our communities healthier and help mitigate climate change. The 2022 Climate Change and Health Equity Summit will bring together health departments, health care providers, and community-based organizations and others who are working with communities to achieve health equity and develop climate solutions that are centered in a health equity framework. View the preliminary schedule and register.
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Sentinel Surveillance of Emerging Laws Limiting Public Health Emergency Orders
Legislators across the U.S. have introduced bills that would limit public health authority to respond to current and future public health emergencies. As part of the Act for Public Health initiative, several organizations, including the Network, are partnering to track legislation addressing public health authority and provide support to public health departments to preserve and protect their authority to protect communities. This resource from the Center for Public Health Law Research provides a high-level overview of laws that limit the authority of a governor or a state health official regarding emergency orders. Join the Act for Public Health email list to receive updates on this and related resources and information. For assistance in navigating current or pending legislation, use the request assistance form.
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Early Data Show Racial Disparities in Monkeypox Cases
On August 4, 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the U.S. Monkeypox outbreak to be a public health emergency. This report from KFF provides an overview of released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monkeypox cases reported in the U.S through July 22, including demographic data.
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National Director, Network for Public Health Law
Following the retirement of Network National Director Donna Levin, the Network is searching for a new National Director to provide strategic direction, lead organizational development, and oversee the work of its National Office and five Region Offices. The ideal candidate is an energetic hands-on leader with unquestionable integrity and high ethical standards, who is able to lead and inspire with an entrepreneurial mindset. The National Director must have exceptional ability to proactively engage and facilitate discussions with a broad range of stakeholders to champion the Network and its mission to provide visionary leadership in the use of law to protect, promote, and improve health and health equity. As the position is integral to ensuring organizational stability and growth, the National Director must have a strong track record in identifying and securing diverse sources of revenue, including philanthropic and government funding, as well as earned-income. View the full position posting here.
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Senior Public Health Attorney
The Network is seeking a Public Health Senior Attorney to lead and coordinate work in our Act for Public Health (A4PH) initiative, which helps public health departments preserve their authority and powers to protect the health of communities. This position will track and analyze legislation, provide legal technical assistance, conduct training, develop tools and educational materials, and facilitate opportunities for networking and peer assistance. This position will also be the main point of contact and coordinate with A4PH partner organizations. View the full description and apply here.
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Marketing and Communications Specialist
The Network seeks an individual who is passionate about health and social justice to join us as our Marketing and Communications Specialist to help us successfully raise our national profile, engage with our key constituents, expand our reach, and improve our support to communities. The Marketing and Communications Specialist must be a tech savvy self-starter with excellent verbal and written communication skills, and will be responsible for developing and implementing communication, marketing, and outreach campaigns and programs. This position is based at the Network’s National Office in Edina, Minnesota, and reports to the Associate Director, Marketing Communications. View the full description and apply here.
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Staff Attorney/Senior Staff Attorney—Commercial Tobacco Control Program
The Public Health Law Center is seeking to hire multiple staff attorneys/senior staff attorneys who have a passion for working for the social good and who share the center’s commitment to advancing racial and social justice, including the social determinants of health, implicit bias, and systemic health problems. The attorney will be responsible for providing legal technical assistance to tribal public health advocates, community groups, and state and local health officials to advance public health and health equity through law and policy. View the full description and apply here.
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Thank you!
Your interest in the work of the Network is important. Together, we can advance law as a tool to improve public health. Please forward the Network Report and encourage others to join the Network!
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The Network for Public Health Law provides information and technical assistance on issues related to public health. The legal information and assistance provided in this document does not constitute legal advice or legal representation. For legal advice, readers should consult a lawyer in their state.
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