ADPH
Bill in Alabama Legislature would prohibit mask mandates
An Alabama representative filed a bill last week that would prevent the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and certain state government entities from enacting mask mandates. The bill, HB 9, sponsored by Rep. Brock Colvin, R-Albertville, would “prohibit governmental entities and the State Health Officer from imposing a face mask mandate to prevent the […]
Alabama Public Health Department braces for onset of cold and flu season
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) said Thursday that respiratory virus cases are manageable as the cold and flu season begins. “Our respiratory virus season is upon us, and we’ve spent a lot of time talking about that,” said State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris said to state committee board members of the ADPH […]
ADPH asks judge to reconsider ruling on birth center regulations
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) asked a Montgomery circuit court judge Thursday to reconsider a ruling preventing ADPH from withholding licensure for birth centers. Judge Greg Griffin’s order prevents ADPH from withholding licenses from birth centers — facilities that offer expectant mothers an option between home and hospital deliveries — that “demonstrate substantial […]
Montgomery judge blocks Alabama birth center regulations from taking effect
Montgomery Circuit Court Judge Greg Griffin Saturday blocked the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) from enforcing hospital licensing rules on birth centers that at least two centers said had prevented them from operating. The three-page order prevents ADPH from “refusing to timely license (including but not limited to refusing to timely issue temporary or […]
Montgomery judge allows lawsuit over Alabama birth center regulations to move forward
A Montgomery judge will allow a lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) over birth center regulations to move forward. Montgomery Circuit Court Judge Greg Griffin denied a motion Thursday from ADPH to dismiss the lawsuit, which alleges that ADPH has effectively made birth centers – facilities that provide an in-between option for […]
Federal government shutdown could affect Alabama Department of Public Health
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) could feel impacts from a federal government shutdown. Dr. Scott Harris, state health officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), said at the monthly State Committee of Public Health meeting Thursday a shutdown could make it harder for the department to spend federal dollars. “Not sure […]
COVID hospitalizations in Alabama jumped in August
Alabama saw a sharp increase in COVID hospitalizations over the last month. The number of Alabamians admitted to a hospital due to COVID increased nearly 50% in just one week, from 216 weekly hospital admissions in the second week of August to 318 hospital admissions in the third week of August, according to Centers for […]
Next stop for birth center regulations: Alabama Legislative Council
The final step for controversial new rules on birth centers will be the Legislative Council. Following a public comment period, the Alabama Department of Public Health Thursday approved the proposed rules, which will require birth centers to have oversight by a physician or medical director. The rules proposed would also require birth centers to be […]
Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris receives 7% raise
The state committee board members of the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) voted unanimously Thursday to give State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris a 7% raise, effective in October. Harris makes about $307,000 a year, according to state data. The raise, amounting to about a $20,000 yearly salary increase, includes a 5% performance-based increase […]
ACLU sues Alabama Department of Public Health over birth center regulations
The American Civil Liberties Union Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), alleging that its policies make it impossible for birth centers to operate in the state. The 46-page lawsuit alleges that ADPH has effectively forced birth centers – facilities that provide an in-between option for individuals who do not […]
Midwifery grows in Alabama amid maternal health challenges
Kate Petty, a 41-year-old mother, has had two hospital births and two home births after that. In her second hospital birth, her newborn baby, Eliza, passed away just a few hours after being born. She didn’t understand how that happened to Eliza when her pregnancy was without complications up to that point – what she […]
Targeting cervical cancer: Tuscaloosa clinic leads effort with temporary HPV vaccination clinics
The West Alabama Women’s Center plans to open temporary clinics as part of an human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine drive to help reduce the high rates of cervical cancer rates in the state, according to Operations Director Robin Marty. HPV is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can lead to cervical and other types of […]