Tennessee officials trying to distribute the last of the state’s federal stimulus funding have set aside $230 million for hospitals and nursing homes. They’re reopening an application process for facilities to allow them to make a case for some of the money.
Ex-Vanderbilt nurse found guilty of a lesser charge in patient death case
A jury found the former nurse on trial for the death of a patient due to a drug mix-up guilty of criminally negligent homicide. Prosecutors had charged RaDonda Vaught with reckless homicide, which carries more potential jail time.
COVID funerals can be covered by federal funds, but less than half of eligible Tennessee families have applied
A year into its reimbursement program, the federal government has paid out more than $2 billion to cover funeral costs for COVID victims. But a WPLN News analysis finds fewer than half of COVID deaths in Tennessee have resulted in an application for the money.
First Ukrainian child cancer patients fly to St. Jude in Memphis as part of mass evacuation
Four Ukrainian children being treated for cancer have been flown to Memphis for care. They’re the first to take medical transports to the U.S. as part of a war evacuation coordinated by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
TennCare is preparing to expand dental benefits, but only 1 in 3 dentists accepts reduced payments
More dentists will have to start participating in the state’s Medicaid program if every adult is going to get new oral health coverage. That’s the conclusion of TennCare advocates who found that fewer than one in three dentists in Tennessee accept the lower rates paid by Medicaid.
Tennessee Senate leaders try to slam the brakes on Texas-style abortion ban advancing in the House
Leaders of the Tennessee Senate say they don’t support a Texas-style abortion ban advancing in the state House. The high-level resistance is likely to stop the measure for the year.
Tennessee Republicans begin advancing sweeping abortion ban with almost no exceptions
The Texas-style bill that effectively bans all abortions was completely rewritten this week and voted on in the House Health Subcommittee on Tuesday.
The 37208 Fund continues to sprinkle North Nashville artists, teachers and activists with cash
A micro-grant program has doled out another round of funding in North Nashville. The 37208 Fund launched in October, with the stated aim of bringing “reparations and justice” to the historic heart of the city’s Black community.
Tennessee lawmakers consider taking the Texas abortion law a step further, to ban almost all abortions
A proposal circulating in the Tennessee legislature and obtained by WPLN News could effectively ban abortions in the state.
St. Jude making room for Ukrainian cancer patients in Memphis while helping place children across Europe
St. Jude’s global arm is helping connect childhood cancer patients evacuating Ukraine with hospitals across Europe. Soon they may also come to the U.S.
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