HARWICH — Cape Cod Regional Technical High School’s June 1 graduation ceremony was full of reflection. Student speeches recalled the obstacles of starting high school in the middle of the […]
Health & Healthcare
HEALTH BUSINESS
Cape Cod Hospital Settles Medicare Suit for $24.3M
Whistleblower cardiologist Richard Zelman will receive $4.36 million
HYANNIS — Cape Cod Hospital has agreed to pay the federal government $24.3 million to settle allegations that it knowingly submitted hundreds of Medicare claims between 2015 and 2022 for […]
HEALTH CARE ACCESS
CVS Pharmacies Can Now Fill Scripts for Abortion Medications
OCHS is looking into certification to offer mifepristone
PROVINCETOWN — Although medication abortions are legal for terminating pregnancies of up to 10 weeks in Massachusetts, access to the two-pill combination prescription is extremely limited on Cape Cod. That’s […]
HEALTH CARE
Cape’s Only Abortion Care Clinic Prepares to Manage With One Medication
Providers get ready to adjust, should Supreme Court restrict mifepristone
HYANNIS — Six months ago, Health Imperatives became the only clinic on Cape Cod to offer medication abortion, ending the Cape’s 15-year period as an abortion care desert. Now the […]
HEALTH CARE
Two Years After Approval, Injectable HIV Prevention Is Still Scarce
Insurance hurdles limit access to an effective health strategy
PROVINCETOWN — After its approval by the Food and Drug Administration in December 2021, Apretude, an injectable medication for HIV prevention, was expected to be a game-changer for several high-risk […]
FUNDING
Outer Cape Towns Institute Opioid Remediation Plan
Most funds go to harm reduction and cash assistance; some expenditures have critics
The four Outer Cape towns began a joint effort on Jan. 1 to spend an unusual pool of money: $621,100 in “opioid remediation funds” that will come to the towns […]
OPIOIDS
Calls for Overdose Rescues Fall as Narcan Use Rises
But the risk from fentanyl is still increasing, police and activists agree
EASTHAM — According to data from the state Dept. of Public Health, calls to emergency medical services for opioid-related emergencies — that is, overdoses — decreased on the Outer Cape […]
HEALTH CARE
State Expands Eligibility for Low-Cost Health Plans
But those currently uninsured face a Jan. 23 deadline to sign up
PROVINCETOWN — This year’s “open enrollment” period on the state’s Health Connector website — that is, the window of time in which people without health insurance can easily sign up […]
PSYCHEDELICS
Select Board Asks State to Reconsider Supervised Use of Psilocybin
Resolution requests a simpler form of regulatory oversight
PROVINCETOWN — At its Dec. 11 meeting, the select board considered a subject that’s rarely on its agenda: psychedelic drugs. Board member Erik Borg had submitted for discussion a resolution […]
HEALTH CARE
Dr. Jorgensen Is Gone From OCHS
Health Services CEO won’t comment on medical chief’s abrupt departure
PROVINCETOWN — Dr. Andrew Jorgensen was removed from his job as chief medical officer of Outer Cape Health Services (OCHS) last month and, as of last week, was no longer […]
HEALTH CARE
Mobile Anti-Abortion Unit Is Under DPH Scrutiny
A ‘40 Days for Life’ campaign didn’t dissuade patients, says clinic director
HYANNIS — The anti-abortion van affiliated with Your Options Medical, which operates “crisis pregnancy centers” from a parent site in Revere, has been under review by the Mass. Dept. of […]
HEALTH CARE
For the Young, Gender-Affirming Care Is Scarce on Cape Cod
Doctors and families say the chance to ‘pause puberty’ can save lives
Jaiden van Bork was a student at Nauset Regional High School when she began traveling to Boston Children’s Hospital to get gender-affirming hormone therapy. Van Bork is from Brewster, so […]
AGING AND HEALTH
Gay Community Faces Increased Risk of Dementia
Researchers suggest reasons include stress of stigma and prejudice
ORLEANS — Susan Milton knew she would marry Cindy Eagar the moment their hands touched. The two, who now live in Orleans, met at a dinner party hosted by a […]
MOSQUITOES
Awaiting First Frost, and Meanwhile, Precautions
EEE is detected, but the risk of infection in humans is still low
PROVINCETOWN — Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) was detected in a sample of mosquitoes taken here on Sept. 21. Like the August discovery of West Nile virus in Eastham mosquitoes, the […]
MENTAL HEALTH
In a Crisis, Clinicians Arrive — or Call — From Hyannis
Shared services are spreading, but co-response is still mostly remote
PROVINCETOWN — Last February, a 30-member SWAT team responded in full protective gear when a Provincetown man expressed suicidal intentions and barricaded himself and his roommate inside their home with […]
