What do you want state lawmakers to know?

 1658861605 
1710330059

That’s the question WBHM put to people at our recent News and Brews community pop-up at Church Street Coffee in Mt. Brook. Despite the early hour, those at the shop had plenty to share. 

If you could sit down with your state lawmaker, what would you tell him or her? That’s the question WBHM put to people at our recent News and Brews community pop-up at Church Street Coffee in Mt. Brook. Despite the early hour, those at the shop had plenty to share. 

Those who work in healthcare voiced concerns about its accessibility. Alabama is one of a few states that doesn’t allow adults access to oral healthcare under Medicaid. Alabama also limits access to physical therapy – a referral by a physician is required. 

“Which makes it more difficult to access physical therapy and inhibits people from getting the care that they need,” said Claire Hills.

Education was a big topic. Many called for lawmakers to save Birmingham-Southern College while others advocated for higher wages for teachers. 

“We have an awesome group of people here, we just need to pay our teachers more,” Kate McCombs said.

As bills limiting the power of library boards travel through the Alabama legislature, some chose to voice their support of public libraries. Other issues included requiring term limits, making parking more accessible in downtown Birmingham and increasing parental leave.

This audio postcard was produced by Kelsey Shelton and Andrew Gelderman.

 

Remembering David Nabarro: ‘a great champion of global health and health equity’

That's how the head of the World Health Organization paid tribute to Nabarro's lifelong public health leadership. A physician, Nabarro was a leading voice in the effort to quash the COVID-19 pandemic.

PEPFAR escaped the rescission ax. But where does it stand?

Founded by George W. Bush, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief was taken out of the list of agencies that lost previously pledged funds. But its future is far from certain.

Get ready, Brazil. The ‘good mosquitoes’ are coming

Scientists are driving around in white Chevys, releasing thousands of specially engineered mosquitoes from tubes — part of a pioneering project to reduce the spread of dengue, a terrible disease.

Even megastars like Venus Williams get the health insurance blues

In the U.S., as nowhere else, health insurance and employment are deeply connected. And that means confusion can snare even elite athletes.

Taiwanese voters reject a bid to remove lawmakers from a China-friendly party

The independence-leaning ruling Democratic Progressive Party won the last presidential election, but the China-friendly Nationalists and the Taiwan People's Party have enough seats to form a majority bloc.

Primate pet ownership fuels a brutal industry. This bill could slow it down

For most pet primates in the United States, life is marked by chronic stress, malnutrition and illness — if they survive at all. A bill in Congress would aim to make ownership of captive primates illegal in all 50 states.

More Front Page Coverage