Dec 12, 2017

Alabama ready to warn parents about lapsing CHIP funding

Kids at the Children's Hospital of Alabama watch superhero window washers. Photo: Brynn Anderson / AP

Alabama will send letters to parents around Christmas notifying them that 84,000 kids stand to lose health coverage next year as funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program evaporates, Cathy Caldwell, director of Alabama's Bureau of Children's Health Insurance, confirmed to Axios.

Why it matters: Congress has failed to extend CHIP funding even though the program has bipartisan support. Democrat Doug Jones supports renewing CHIP money; Republican Roy Moore has not committed to funding CHIP, according to the Montgomery Advertiser.

More details: Alabama shares its CHIP funding among 84,000 children in its ALL Kids program and the 77,000 children in the regular Medicaid program. Only those in the ALL Kids program would be affected if Congress doesn't extend CHIP funding.

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15 states broke single-day coronavirus records this week

Data: Compiled from state health departments by Axios; Map: Danielle Alberti/Axios

At least 15 states broke their single-day novel coronavirus infection records this week, according to state health department data reviewed by Axios.

The big picture: The number of coronavirus cases increased in the vast majority of states over the last week, and decreased in only two states plus the District of Columbia, Axios' Andrew Withershoop and Caitlin Owens report.

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Axios

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Coronavirus dashboard

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Global: Total confirmed cases as of 3 p.m. ET: 11,143,945 — Total deaths: 527,681 — Total recoveries — 6,004,593 — Map.
U.S.: Total confirmed cases as of 3 p.m. ET: 2,818,588 — Total deaths: 129,584 — Total recoveries: 883,561 — Total tested: 34,213,497 — Map.
States: Photos of America's pandemic July 4 — ICU beds in Arizona's hot spot reach near capacity.
Public health: U.S. coronavirus infections hit record highs for 3 straight days.
Politics: Trump extends PPP application deadline — Kimberly Guilfoyle tests positive.
World: Mexican leaders call for tighter border control as infections rise in U.S.
Sports: 31 MLB players test positive as workouts resume.
1 📽 thing: Drive-in movie theaters are making a comeback.

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13 hours ago - Health

In photos: America celebrates July 4 during global pandemic

Photo: Francine Orr/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images

The U.S. has already celebrated Easter, graduations and so much more during the coronavirus pandemic, and now it can add July 4 to the list.

The state of play: Axios' Stef Kight writes public parades and fireworks displays around much of the country are being canceled to prevent mass gatherings where the virus could spread. Hot-dog contests and concerts will play to empty stands and virtual audiences — all while American pride treads an all-time low.