Category: Health

We follow local stories of well-being in the Hill Country Observer, from physical and mental health to systems of healthcare and insurance and the challenges of medicine today.

  • A big gap to fill – Food systems face a test as major SNAP cuts begin

    , , , ,

    Local food systems are facing rising pressure since the federal administration and Republican legislators have withdrawn or held up Millions in federal funding, in the Republican budget bill in July and changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in the fall and in the future. read more

    A big gap to fill – Food systems face a test as major SNAP cuts begin
  • Issue:

    Health center fills a rural gap

    , , ,

    Salem Family Health works to make services more accessible to people in southern Washington County. — By Maury Thompson read more

    Health center fills a rural gap
  • Issue:

    Health care challenges ahead

    , ,

    Clinics, hospitals, nursing homes weigh effects of big Medicaid cuts   Hudson Headwaters Health Network opened its newest family health center in May in Salem, N.Y. Now the center is among the many health care facilities across the region that are likely to lose revenue as the federal goverment cuts about $1 trillion in Medicaid read more

    Health care challenges ahead
  • Issue:

    Housing that’s not just for the wealthy?

    , , ,

    In the Berkshires, a new land trust aims to protect affordability Lillian Zavatsky, left, and Elizabeth Smith are among those involved in organizing a new Northern Berkshire Community Land Trust. Zavatsky, the group’s president, says it aims to help keep housing affordable. Joan K. Lentini photo   By KATE ABBOTTContributing writer NORTH ADAMS, Mass. Victorian read more

    Housing that’s not just for the wealthy?
  • Issue:

    A place for equine de-stressing

    ,

    Former jockey helps racehorses transition to their second acts   Anna Hollander, owner of Swedish Hill Farm and Spa in Malta, N.Y., walks the retired racehorse Principal Dancer to the paddock on a fall day, accompanied by her dogs. Joan K. Lentini photo   By STACEY MORRISContributing writer MALTA, N.Y. Anna Hollander’s first waking thought read more

    A place for equine de-stressing
  • Issue:

    Going phone-free

    ,

    Schools, states push new steps to banish student cell phones from class   Ralph Harrington, the associate principal for grades 7-12 at Cambridge Central School, shows off one of the pouches in which students’ cell phones are sealed throughout the school day. Joan K. Lentini photo   By MAURY THOMPSONContributing writer CAMBRIDGE, N.Y. Cambridge Central read more

    Going phone-free
  • Issue:

    A month in the hills — Birthing center to stay open with state aid

    , , ,

    The only remaining maternity ward in Rensselaer County will stay open after receiving a promise of $5 million in new state grants. St. Peter’s Health Partners announced April 29 that it will keep the Burdett Birth Center in Troy open for at least five years while the hospital system works to improve the center’s economic read more

    A month in the hills — Birthing center to stay open with state aid
  • Issue:

    Food fight? Debate over farm bill nears

    , , ,

    Local advocates keep tabs as Congress weighs shifts in agriculture funds, policy By MAURY THOMPSONContributing writer   With the threat of a government shutdown now averted until after the start of the new year, congressional leaders have reserved floor time in December to debate a new farm bill in the U.S. House. But most political read more

    Food fight? Debate over farm bill nears
  • Issue:

    At a farm for horses, a spa for people

    ,

    Luxury wellness center shares address with equine rehabilitation facility Abby Melfi welcomes guests at the entrance to Sacred Spa, a luxury wellness center she created in a converted horse barn. Joan K. Lentini photo   By STACEY MORRISContributing writer NORTHUMBERLAND, N.Y. Abby Melfi was in her element as she strode through the quiet hallways of read more

    At a farm for horses, a spa for people
  • Issue:

    Closed to deliveries? Community rallies to save birthing center

    , , ,

    Community rallies to save Rensselaer County’s last birthing center   Emily Steinbach, right, her wife, Michele, and daughter Eleanor take part in a rally last month against the proposed closing of Burdett Birth Center, the only remaining medical facility in Rensselaer County where expectant mothers can give birth. Victoria Kereszi photo   By TRACY FRISCHContributing read more

    Closed to deliveries? Community rallies to save birthing center