Starting Jan. 1, all U.S. hospitals were required to list their medical service prices on-line. However, hospitals are warning these dollar amounts may not be exactly what they seem.

Peg Gehring

North Central District Health Department last week confirmed one case of pertussis in Idaho County, said Peg Gehring, nurse practitioner, St. Mary’s Hospital and Clinics. “That’s more commonly known as whooping cough,” Gehring added.

The Idaho bill stating breastfeeding is neither indecent exposure nor obscene passed a senate panel Monday, March 5. If made into law, House Bill 448, drafted by Rep. Paul Amador, R-Couer d’Alene, would be the first legal protection for breastfeeding mothers in the state, with the exception of a law that allows breastfeeding moms to be exempted from jury duty. Idaho is the only state currently without protections for mothers who breastfeed.

Faith-healing: Child-sized coffins stacked on the front steps of the Idaho State Capitol Building on Feb. 19.

Despite below freezing temperatures and winds of over 20 miles per hour, marchers took to the steps of the Idaho State Capitol Building Monday and called upon legislators to remove existing faith-based healing exemptions. The speech at the Capitol concluded a four-block march by community members who carried 183 child-sized coffins as part of the March to Protect Idaho Kids.

Abortion reversal: Sen. Lori Den Hartog, R-Meridian, presenting her bill before the Senate on Feb. 20.

The Idaho Senate passed a bill to inform patients considering abortion about a medical abortion reversal procedure that is scientifically unproven on a straight 29-6 party-line vote. The bill, SB 1243, would modify Idaho’s informed consent packets to include information about the reversal procedure and who to contact to get more information.

Abortion reversal bill: Sen. Lori Den Hartog presents her bill before the Senate State Affairs Committee.

The bill, SB 1243, would modify Idaho’s informed consent packets to include information about the reversal procedure and who to contact to get more information. If passed, Idaho would join Utah, Arkansas and South Dakota, who have similar laws.

Rep. Heather Scott, Rep. Elaine Smith and Margie Gannon (Rep. Paulette Jordan's substitute) during Ripley's presentation on Tuesday, Feb. 13.

David Ripley speaks to the Idaho House State Affairs Committee on Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Two bills brought by an anti-abortion organization executive were introduced by an Idaho House panel Tuesday, Feb. 13, on a party-line voice vote.

Reps. Chew and Kingsley present the immunity bill. Kingsley jokes about a Democrat and a Republican co-sponsoring a bill.

The legal immunity bill is in response to the opioid epidemic that has engulfed rural states, like Idaho, with high numbers of deaths from overdoses. “This is very important and states that have introduced this bill have seen a decrease in opioid overdose deaths by 30 percent,” said Rep. Mike Kingsley, R-Lewiston, who co-sponsored the legislation. “It’s a lot of lives that we can save with this bill and I would appreciate your support.”

Carl Crabtree

“What we’re seeing more and more with research coming out nationally about suicide prevention is the importance of what we call getting further upstream,” she said. “So, in my mind, I almost think of it as pre-prevention work — how do we prevent children from becoming suicidal in the first place.”

Dr. Matthew Told Syringa Hospital and Clinics, Grangeville

Dr. Haley Minnehan St. Mary’s Hospital and Clinics, Cottonwood

Health Myths: Exposed

We’ve all heard the clichés and old wife’s tales about food, but what is true and what’s not? Here are a few myths busted wide open:

“Brush your teeth after every meal.” We’ve heard that all our lives, but is that best for dental health? We’ve gone through our lives hearing much advice on what to do and not to do, and what is good and bad for our teeth. Validating or debunking some of the common myths is Dr. Christopher Knight, DDS, Two Rivers Family Dental and Cosmetics, of Grangeville.

It’s true! Can it be truer than true, or doubly true? If so, then it is. Tomatoes have many benefits and it’s not just fresh tomatoes. Canned tomatoes are processed with the nutrients intact, so don’t be afraid to eat them as well. Just try to purchase ones without added salt or preservatives – or better yet, plan to can or freeze your own next summer.

Does eating turkey really make your sleepy? Can you drink too much water? Do we really only use 10 percent of our brains? Are muscle and fat interchangeable?

Vaccines causes autism. Autism is the fastest growing development disability in the United States. Autism rates have increased more thanr the past 25 years. Most scientists agree that our genes are one of the most prominent risk factors that can predispose a person to develop autism

Put butter on a burn, it’s the best thing for it! Fiction! Ouch! Putting butter or other greasy ointment on a burn will actually cause more pain and skin damage because the grease holds the heat in and causes a slower release of heat.

Robby Maynard, 5, of Grangeville, has his first visit with the dentist at Two Rivers Dentistry recently.

This youngster enjoys a lollypop at October’s Trunk or Treat event in Grangeville. Note that sugar intake does not cause persons to develop diabetes, but rather a diet high in calories, being overweight and those with an inactive lifestyle.

tomatoes

exercising