Shamane Mills

Recent Articles

Health Officials Urge Flu Shots After Child Deaths

Health Officials Urge Flu Shots After Child Deaths

Three children recently died from influenza. Less than 40% of state has received flu vaccine.

Hospital Association Reports Worsening Nurse Shortage

Hospital Association Reports Worsening Nurse Shortage

Burnout, violence against healthcare workers driving high job vacancy rates.

Wastewater Tests Show Uptick in COVID-19

Wastewater Tests Show Uptick in COVID-19

Too early to tell but increases found in several cities, including Milwaukee.

‘You Are Heroes,’ Evers Tells Workers

‘You Are Heroes,’ Evers Tells Workers

Governor kicks off statewide tour to thank health and front-line workers who helped battle pandemic.

Testing Kids For Lead Poisoning Declined During Pandemic

Testing Kids For Lead Poisoning Declined During Pandemic

25% reduction in lead tests in state compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Fetal Heartbeat Bill Divides Abortion Foes

Fetal Heartbeat Bill Divides Abortion Foes

Bill banning abortion after 6 weeks may not get passed by Legislature before session ends.

State’s First Death From MIS-C Reported

State’s First Death From MIS-C Reported

Wisconsin has had 183 cases of rare inflammatory condition associated with COVID-19.

Insurance Companies Oppose Drug Coupon Bill

Insurance Companies Oppose Drug Coupon Bill

Insurers don't want coupons for expensive drugs to count against deductibles.

Two Medical Marijuana Bills Proposed

Two Medical Marijuana Bills Proposed

One by legislators from each party. 37 states, including Mississippi, now allow it.

Wastewater Testing Suggests COVID-19 Waning

Wastewater Testing Suggests COVID-19 Waning

Wisconsin one of 37 states using sewage analysis as early warning system.

Public Health Officials Monitoring Omicron Subvariant

Public Health Officials Monitoring Omicron Subvariant

Fewer than five cases of the new variant have been detected in Wisconsin.

GOP Lawmakers Push ‘Medical Freedom’ Bills

GOP Lawmakers Push ‘Medical Freedom’ Bills

State legislation protects doctors promoting therapies not approved by FDA for COVID-19 treatment.

Hospital Lawsuits For Unpaid Bills Rising In State

Hospital Lawsuits For Unpaid Bills Rising In State

Up 37% since 2001. Black patients, rural patients most likely to be sued.

Health Care Providers in Limbo After Court Blocks Vaccine Mandate

Health Care Providers in Limbo After Court Blocks Vaccine Mandate

More than a quarter of state’s nursing home staff haven’t been vaccinated.

Bill Helps Veterans And Hospitals Short on Staff

Bill Helps Veterans And Hospitals Short on Staff

Bipartisan bill allows veterans with medical training to temporarily practice without a license.

Hospitals Relying on Temporary Travel Nurses

Hospitals Relying on Temporary Travel Nurses

Travel nurses work short term contracts, making significantly more than staff nurses.

Higher Gas Prices Expected For Months

Higher Gas Prices Expected For Months

But in real dollars lower than in 2014 or 2008.

Hospitals Expect to Lose Staff Over Vaccine Mandates

Hospitals Expect to Lose Staff Over Vaccine Mandates

Despite high levels of vaccination, heath systems don't expect 100% compliance.

Rural Areas Have Highest COVID-19 Death Rates

Rural Areas Have Highest COVID-19 Death Rates

Nationwide study finds rural areas have a death rate twice as high as urban areas.

Fake Pills Laced With Fentanyl Fueling Overdoses

Fake Pills Laced With Fentanyl Fueling Overdoses

Law enforcement finding "unprecedented quantities" of counterfeit pills.

Suicide Prevention Program For Veterans Expands

Suicide Prevention Program For Veterans Expands

Started by gun shop owner, now includes 18 firearms retailers, aims for all 72 counties.

College Students’ Pot Use At Historic High

College Students’ Pot Use At Historic High

Drinking less, smoking more. 44% reported using marijuana.

Hospitals Struggle With Shortage of Nurses

Hospitals Struggle With Shortage of Nurses

Offering bonuses, hiring temps as nurses ‘run ragged.”

State Doctors Warn, Don’t Use Ivermectin

State Doctors Warn, Don’t Use Ivermectin

Sen. Johnson ‘endangering our patients’ pushing drug for COVID-19, they declare.

Outreach Efforts Getting More Vaccinated

Outreach Efforts Getting More Vaccinated

Health clinics, literacy centers reaching out to immigrants and low-income people.

Public Health Officials Warn Against COVID-19 Misinformation

Public Health Officials Warn Against COVID-19 Misinformation

U.S. Surgeon General called misinformation a "serious threat to public health."

Madison, Dane County Mandate Vaccine For Workers

Madison, Dane County Mandate Vaccine For Workers

Public employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing.

Help Coming For Long-Haul Covid Sufferers

Help Coming For Long-Haul Covid Sufferers

Biden administration says some symptoms make you eligible for federal disability aid.

Can Health Officials Act Against Delta Variant?

Can Health Officials Act Against Delta Variant?

Court decisions, public resistance limit what state and local officials can do.

State Ranks 41st In Public Health Spending

State Ranks 41st In Public Health Spending

Some hoped pandemic might prompt action on this. Not so far.

Broadband Access a Health Issue for Seniors

Broadband Access a Health Issue for Seniors

Wisconsin trails 32 states in percent of those over 65 who have access to high-speed internet.

State Officials Target COVID-19 Delta Variant

State Officials Target COVID-19 Delta Variant

New tool offers better tracking of vaccinations rates. ‘This variant is less forgiving.’

State May Get $65 million in Opioid Settlement

State May Get $65 million in Opioid Settlement

Purdue Pharma reaches $4.3 billion settlement with multiple states.

State’s Zoos Will Vaccinate Animals

State’s Zoos Will Vaccinate Animals

No COVID-19 infections at Milwaukee County Zoo, but tigers and lions at Bronx Zoo got sick last year.

Bill Gives Local Governments Opioid Settlement Money

Bill Gives Local Governments Opioid Settlement Money

Some provisions of bill give Legislature more authority over settlement funds.

Will Face Masks Remain Post Pandemic?

Will Face Masks Remain Post Pandemic?

Some health professionals think face coverings are here to stay.

Motorcycle Deaths Up 31% in State

Motorcycle Deaths Up 31% in State

Officials worry about 'risky behavior” on roads which started during low-traffic pandemic.

GOP Bills Ban Vaccine Passports, Work Requirement

GOP Bills Ban Vaccine Passports, Work Requirement

Lawmakers also propose ending mandatory COVID-19 vaccines, testing for UW-System.

Report Shows Parks Need More Equity

Report Shows Parks Need More Equity

A nation-wide problem. In Milwaukee persons of color have access to 70% less park space.

Officials Push To Vaccinate Kids 12 to 15

Officials Push To Vaccinate Kids 12 to 15

Could help get to herd immunity, officials across state sending consent forms to parents.

State Officials Push Action on PFAS

State Officials Push Action on PFAS

50 state sites polluted. Evers budget includes $20 million to fight forever chemicals.

DOJ Recieves Grant For Sexual Assault Kit Database

DOJ Recieves Grant For Sexual Assault Kit Database

New system will track evidence for sexual assault cases. A backlog discovered in 2014 took four years to process.

Ad Campaign Launched to Boost Vaccine Confidence

Ad Campaign Launched to Boost Vaccine Confidence

HealthyMKE is running the "Authentic Voices" campaign countywide.

Can Education Overcome Vaccine Resisters?

Can Education Overcome Vaccine Resisters?

State officials hope to overcome resistance among Republicans, rural residents.

Medical Boards Encourage COVID-19 Vaccination

Medical Boards Encourage COVID-19 Vaccination

Chiropractic Examining Board differs from medical boards and just encourages colleagues to get vaccinated.

Health Care Workers “Drained” by Pandemic

Health Care Workers “Drained” by Pandemic

A new report finds a strained workforce after a year of the pandemic.

Studies Link Obesity and Severe COVID-19

Studies Link Obesity and Severe COVID-19

And 67% of Wisconsin adults are obese or overweight, state data shows.

State Vaccine Registry To Start March 1

State Vaccine Registry To Start March 1

Online tool will allow people to schedule shots, get on waiting list for COVID-19 vaccine.

State Sees Historically Few Flu Cases

State Sees Historically Few Flu Cases

Only 38 influenza cases as of January 30th. COVID-19 mitigation likely reduced the spread.

State Sees Second Case of Coronavirus Variant

State Sees Second Case of Coronavirus Variant

A case in Waukesha of variant first discovered in UK and believed to spread more rapidly.

Evers Plan Seeks Lower Drug Prices

Evers Plan Seeks Lower Drug Prices

Would limit copayments on insulin and import drugs from countries where they cost less.

Madison Protester Gets Probation on Extortion Charges

Madison Protester Gets Probation on Extortion Charges

Devonere Johnson's arrest sparked further protest in June.

Firefighters, Police Next Up For Vaccines

Firefighters, Police Next Up For Vaccines

State plan calls for phase 1b to start next week, may also include teachers, correctional workers.

Evers Joins 7 Governors Asking for More Vaccine

Evers Joins 7 Governors Asking for More Vaccine

Governors say the federal government is holding back 50% of produced vaccine.

Disputes Over Who to Give Vaccine Slow Process

Disputes Over Who to Give Vaccine Slow Process

State panel hashes out who should be next in line, while some say they can't wait.

State’s Vaccine Stockpile Could Triple

State’s Vaccine Stockpile Could Triple

Federal approval of second COVID-19 vaccine could mean Wisconsin receives 100,000 doses of Moderna vaccine soon.

State Panel Must Ration Vaccines

State Panel Must Ration Vaccines

Wisconsin has 450,000 health care workers but first shipment of vaccines numbers just 65,000.

All Regions of State Will Get Vaccine

All Regions of State Will Get Vaccine

Health care workers will be first to get COVID-19 vaccine under Wisconsin’s plan.

53% Get COVID-19 If Someone In Household Infected

53% Get COVID-19 If Someone In Household Infected

New study of families in Wisconsin, Tennessee finds high rate of secondary infection.

Stay Home to Reduce COVID-19 Spread, Evers Says

Stay Home to Reduce COVID-19 Spread, Evers Says

New study shows that reducing contact and travel is effective in curtailing transmission.

Appeals Court Hears MacIver Institute Case Against Evers

Appeals Court Hears MacIver Institute Case Against Evers

The MacIver Institute argued before appeals court first amendment rights were violated.

Health Departments Overwhelmed by Contact Tracing Work

Health Departments Overwhelmed by Contact Tracing Work

Some are limiting tracing to high-risk cases, others have patients notifying potential contacts.

Drive-Through Flu Shots Being Offered

Drive-Through Flu Shots Being Offered

In Menomonee Falls, West Bend. Advocate Aurora will give free shots in underserved city neighborhoods.

Pence to Janesville “The Choice is Clear”

Pence to Janesville “The Choice is Clear”

Vice-president’s speech at Holiday Inn Conference Center says economy is on the ballot.

Evers Asks FEMA To Rescind PPE Rules

Evers Asks FEMA To Rescind PPE Rules

New federal rules won't cover costs of cleaning personal protection equipment.

Pence, Harris Campaign in Wisconsin

Pence, Harris Campaign in Wisconsin

Republican Vice President, Democratic VP hopeful talk jobs, economy on Labor Day.

Opioid Overdoses Skyrocket During Pandemic

Opioid Overdoses Skyrocket During Pandemic

Opioid overdoses are up 117 percent compared to the same period in 2019.

Despite Pandemic, Many Still Pursuing Medical School

Despite Pandemic, Many Still Pursuing Medical School

Though some students are worried the shutdown has affected their prospects.

Wisconsin Cities Get Grant Funds for Elections

Wisconsin Cities Get Grant Funds for Elections

Milwaukee and four other cities will use the funds to administer elections during the pandemic.

Hotels, Vendors Laying Off Workers

Hotels, Vendors Laying Off Workers

In Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, including Miller Park and Lambeau Field.

UW Tests Drug For COVID-19 Complications

UW Tests Drug For COVID-19 Complications

Clinical trial tor Ruxolitinib testing if drug can slow immune systems gone haywire.

State’s Health Care Workers Demand Hazard Pay

State’s Health Care Workers Demand Hazard Pay

As COVID-19 cases rise again, Democratic bill provides increased pay, paid medical leave.

Will COVID-19 Vaccine be a Silver Bullet?

Will COVID-19 Vaccine be a Silver Bullet?

UW-Madison Medical School Dean lays out challenges that remain, even if vaccine is developed.

41% of State’s Grocery Shoppers Wear Masks

41% of State’s Grocery Shoppers Wear Masks

Researchers checked 26 grocery stores around state, women more likely to wear a mask.

State Children May Have Rare COVID-19 Syndrome

State Children May Have Rare COVID-19 Syndrome

A few possible cases. Many states have reported cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children.

Don’t Put Off Healthcare During Pandemic

Don’t Put Off Healthcare During Pandemic

The Wisconsin Hospital Association is urging residents to continue seeking medical care.

Staycations More Likely on Memorial Day?

Staycations More Likely on Memorial Day?

State destinations like Door County, Wisconsin Dells not sure what to expect.

Wear A Mask, Public Heath Officials Say

Wear A Mask, Public Heath Officials Say

Now that Evers' Safer-At-Home has ended, health officials plead with the public to take precautions on their own.

National Pandemic Study Includes State Families

National Pandemic Study Includes State Families

Studying children, how likely to get infected, show symptoms, spread disease.

State Releases Guidelines for Businesses to Use Once Reopened

State Releases Guidelines for Businesses to Use Once Reopened

Guidelines include general advice and industry specific recommendations.

Businesses Prepare for Possible Re-Opening

Businesses Prepare for Possible Re-Opening

State hangs in the balance while Supreme Court deliberates Safer-At-Home order.

Froedtert Hospital Testing Remdesivir

Froedtert Hospital Testing Remdesivir

10 patients infected with COVID-19 will be treated with drug as part of nationwide study.

Some Non-Essential Businesses Can Open

Some Non-Essential Businesses Can Open

Evers order says dog groomers, small engine repair, upholsterers, others can reopen with precautions.

Hospitals Begin Rescheduling Surgeries Postponed During Pandemic

Hospitals Begin Rescheduling Surgeries Postponed During Pandemic

Medical care not deemed essential was halted in mid-March, saving hospital capacity for COVID-19 patients.

State Still Reviewing Triage Guidelines for Ventilators

State Still Reviewing Triage Guidelines for Ventilators

Committee has more time to decide how scarce medical equipment will be used.

Healthcare Workers Want PPE, Sick Pay, Hazard Pay

Healthcare Workers Want PPE, Sick Pay, Hazard Pay

17 percent of COVID-19 cases statewide are healthcare workers. They are calling on the Legislature to help them.

Officials Drafting Guidelines for a Ventilator Shortage

Officials Drafting Guidelines for a Ventilator Shortage

Who gets a life saving ventilator and who doesn't?

19 Cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin

19 Cases of COVID-19 in Wisconsin

Two in Milwaukee County. State’s total up to 19 as of Friday

Kaul Calls for More Gun Safety Laws

Kaul Calls for More Gun Safety Laws

Molson Coors shootings reignite debate over background checks, red flag laws.

Bill Addressing High Drug Prices Advances

Bill Addressing High Drug Prices Advances

Assembly will take up bipartisan legislation, amendments, on Tuesday.

GOP Pushes Fetal Personhood

GOP Pushes Fetal Personhood

Republican legislators introduce an amendment to the state constitution that gives personhood to fertilized eggs.

State Voters Lean Against Medicare for All

State Voters Lean Against Medicare for All

Poll shows 47% prefer it while 53% prefer improving Affordable Care Act.

CBD Oil Products Rising in Popularity

CBD Oil Products Rising in Popularity

Sold in everything from lotion to beer to e-cigarettes. Regulators, researchers worry it's gone too far.

Why State’s Birth Rate Is Falling

Why State’s Birth Rate Is Falling

Lowest rate in 44 years. Several reasons, experts say.

Rise in Pot Vaping by Teens

Rise in Pot Vaping by Teens

Use has doubled in two years nationally. Schools in state see rising problem.

State’s Birth Rate Hits Historic Low

State’s Birth Rate Hits Historic Low

Down 12% since 2007, lowest since 1970s.

Evers Vetos Bill on Nursing Assistants

Evers Vetos Bill on Nursing Assistants

Would cut required training hours to get certified. Opponents say it would hurt patients.

Bill Raises Age to Buy Tobacco to 21

Bill Raises Age to Buy Tobacco to 21

Doctors, school officials support raising age to buy e-cigarettes, tobacco products.

Evers Pushes Action on Water Quality

Evers Pushes Action on Water Quality

After 13 public hearings across state, water quality policy proposals are being drafted.

Too Many Wisconsinites Without Health Insurance

Too Many Wisconsinites Without Health Insurance

Evers' Health Secretary funding effort to increase number of insured.

77% Of E-Cigarette Illness Involved THC Cartridges

77% Of E-Cigarette Illness Involved THC Cartridges

Federal officials say most cases involved THC cartridges, but still no information on what exactly is causing the damage.

Millions In Health Care Refunds Going Out

Millions In Health Care Refunds Going Out

Insurance market improving thanks to state reinsurance program.

Evers Wants Gun Laws

Evers Wants Gun Laws

Governor said he would call a special session if Republicans don't act.

State Sees Rise in Unpaid Medical Bills

State Sees Rise in Unpaid Medical Bills

1.2 billion uncompensated care In 2018, up 7.6% from 2017, says Wisconsin Hospital Association.

Vaping-Related Lung Diseases Surging

Vaping-Related Lung Diseases Surging

450 suspected cases of lung disease in 33 states, including 46 in Wisconsin.

State Home Construction Lags Behind Economy

State Home Construction Lags Behind Economy

Study says new home construction trails rate of inflation, stalling growth in property taxes.

WE Energies Won’t Demand Solar Surcharge

WE Energies Won’t Demand Solar Surcharge

Company backs off after announcing its settlement with RENEW Wisconsin.

Bill Addresses “Staggering” Cost of Diabetes

Bill Addresses “Staggering” Cost of Diabetes

Estimated $5.5 billion annual cost for state, 40% of residents projected to get disease.

State Rewards Top Child Care Centers

State Rewards Top Child Care Centers

Department Of Children And Families now gives higher payments to higher rated providers.

School Groups Divided About State Budget

School Groups Divided About State Budget

Happy Evers increased spending, but it’s still short of what’s needed, they say.

Evers Seeks Ways to Expand Health Coverage

Evers Seeks Ways to Expand Health Coverage

Governor wants to get more people insurance coverage beyond Medicaid expansion Republicans oppose.

State’s Middle Class Hasn’t Rebounded

State’s Middle Class Hasn’t Rebounded

Study finds 55.7% of state’s households are middle-income, down from 59.7% in 2000.

State To Cover Workers’ Weight-Loss Surgery

State To Cover Workers’ Weight-Loss Surgery

Wisconsin will pay for bariatric surgery for state employees starting in 2020.

Survey Shows Public Workers Delay Health Care

Survey Shows Public Workers Delay Health Care

Nearly one-third of state’s public employees said they skipped a test or treatment due to deductible costs.

Democrats Push Automatic Voter Registration

Democrats Push Automatic Voter Registration

All would be registered when getting drivers license or state ID. Republicans oppose bill.

State Filing Suit Against Opioid Manufacturer

State Filing Suit Against Opioid Manufacturer

AG Josh Kaul alleges Purdue Pharma ignited the epidemic of drug overdoses, deaths related to Oxycontin use.

GOP Defends Anti-Abortion Bills

GOP Defends Anti-Abortion Bills

Bill offers more restrictions on abortions. Medical professionals oppose legislation.

Bill Allows Pharmacists to Vaccinate Children

Bill Allows Pharmacists to Vaccinate Children

In reaction to measles outbreak, lawmakers look to strengthen state’s response.

Bill Speeds Up Health Insurance Appeals

Bill Speeds Up Health Insurance Appeals

Legislators consider bill in response to citizens' complaints about "step therapy," delays in getting needed pain medicine.

GOP Bill Targets Race, Sex-Based Abortions

GOP Bill Targets Race, Sex-Based Abortions

Doctors punished for abortions done solely because of race, ancestry, sex, conditions like Down syndrome.

Mitchell Ranks Higher in Cancelled Flights

Mitchell Ranks Higher in Cancelled Flights

Study ranks Milwaukee’s airport 29th of 75 in nation, but better than Chicago’s two airports.

Kaul, AGs Warn of More Opioid Problems

Kaul, AGs Warn of More Opioid Problems

Letter from 39 attorneys general warns federal officials that new policy could lead to illegal opioid use.

Opioid Crisis Affecting State Businesses

Opioid Crisis Affecting State Businesses

Survey shows 75% of employers have been impacted by the crisis.

Medicaid Work Rules Could Hurt Hospitals

Medicaid Work Rules Could Hurt Hospitals

Walker imposed work requirement for Medicaid recipients, could cut state hospitals revenue by 15%, study says.

State Officials Meet to Tackle Drug Epidemic

State Officials Meet to Tackle Drug Epidemic

Two-Day conference focuses on opioids, which killed 916 users in 2017.

State Trails Nation on School Breakfasts

State Trails Nation on School Breakfasts

17% of schools don’t offer breakfasts, putting Wisconsin near bottom nationally.

High Court Hears Gun Liability Case

High Court Hears Gun Liability Case

Is website facilitating illegal gun sales liable for Brookfield spa shooting?

Opioid Prescriptions in State Down 29%

Opioid Prescriptions in State Down 29%

Doctors writing fewer prescriptions since 2015, but overdoes deaths still rising.

Why Don’t Students Want To Be Teachers?

Why Don’t Students Want To Be Teachers?

UW Task Force examines reasons for decline in education majors in Wisconsin.

Report Finds Growing Physician Job Burnout

Report Finds Growing Physician Job Burnout

Medical Society finds “alarming” level of dissatisfaction, fatigue for state’s doctors.

City Gets Mixed Grades on Pre-K Classes

City Gets Mixed Grades on Pre-K Classes

New study of 40 cities finds lots of access to pre-K, but quality is sometimes lacking.

25% of Prescribed Antibiotics Are Unnecessary

25% of Prescribed Antibiotics Are Unnecessary

So says new study. But Wisconsin’s rate of prescribing antibiotics is below national average.

Republicans Back Bill on Pre-Existing Conditions

Republicans Back Bill on Pre-Existing Conditions

But Evers warns if protections weaker than Obamacare he will veto the legislation.

State’s Smoking Rate Hits All-Time Low

State’s Smoking Rate Hits All-Time Low

But decline is slower for African Americans and low income consumers.

Health Care Costs Rise for Middle Class

Health Care Costs Rise for Middle Class

New report shows premiums, deductibles cost 11% of family income in Wisconsin

State Health Insurance Signups Lagging

State Health Insurance Signups Lagging

Enrollment for federal ACA insurance exchange down 20% this year; two weeks left to enroll.

State Infant Mortality Problem Persists

State Infant Mortality Problem Persists

Health of babies not improving nationally, CDC data shows, with rate nearly twice as high for black infants.

Health Care a Big Issue in Election

Health Care a Big Issue in Election

Key issue in Wisconsin; nationally 46% of House and Senate ads mention health care.

Medicare For All Becomes Hot Issue

Medicare For All Becomes Hot Issue

Many Democrats, including Tammy Baldwin, embrace it, as Republicans condemn it.

Both Parties See November Assembly Win

Both Parties See November Assembly Win

Vos and Hintz both talk about their plans should they run Assembly after election.

Big Federal Cuts for State’s Health Care

Big Federal Cuts for State’s Health Care

Second straight year of cuts in Affordable Care Act for Wisconsin, other states.

Health Coverage Steady After Decline

Health Coverage Steady After Decline

State enrollment in Affordable Care Act steady this year after 13% drop in last year.

State Has 75,000 Clean Energy Jobs

State Has 75,000 Clean Energy Jobs

All 72 counties have clean energy jobs, report shows.

The Battle Over ‘Cocaine Mom” Law

The Battle Over ‘Cocaine Mom” Law

Allows drug using mothers to be detained in jail. Opponents plan pickets, social media and forums across state.

Meth A Bigger Issue Than Opioids?

Meth A Bigger Issue Than Opioids?

New state report looks at drug use and treatment efforts.

College Campuses Going Smoke-Free

College Campuses Going Smoke-Free

National trend includes 23 colleges in state, Marquette and MATC.

Planned Parenthood Sues Trump Administration

Planned Parenthood Sues Trump Administration

Suit by affiliates in Wisconsin, two other states claim changes to Title X program limit the care provided.