In other news across the state, the Arkansas governor is vetoing a bill banning trans youth from access to health care. Ohio is consolidating its pandemic commands and maintaining mask requirements. Only about half of the children at risk in Massachusetts are reportedly attended to by child welfare.

AP: New Utah law requires fathers to pay antenatal support for children

Biological fathers in Utah are required by law to pay half a woman’s pregnancy costs out of pocket under a new law that only applies in the state where critics say it does not do enough to adequately meet mothers’ health care needs to satisfy. The sponsor of the bill presented the measure to reduce the burden of pregnancy on women and to increase responsibility for men with children. However, some critics argue that the new legislation will not help women who are most vulnerable and could make abusive situations even more dangerous for pregnant women. (Eppolito, 4/5)

Modern Healthcare: Arkansas Governor Vetoed Prohibition of Caring for Trans Youth Citing Doctors’ Concerns

Arkansas governor Asa Hutchinson (R) on Monday vetoed a bill that would severely hamper access to care for transgender children, citing opposition from medical experts and doctors. The bill would have banned doctors from prescribing puberty blocks, hormone therapies and other gender-affirming measures to transgender people under the age of 18. Leading medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Psychiatric Association, and others, opposed the proposal, citing negative health affects children who do not have access to gender-affirming care experience. (Hellmann, 4/5)

AP: California Stalls Bill prohibits some intersex surgeries on children

California law banning some medically unnecessary surgeries on intersex children came to a halt on Monday for the third time in a row on the same committee. The author said the proposed changes defeated much of their purpose. State Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) wants to ban certain types of operations on children with intersexual characteristics. Then their genitals, chromosomes or reproductive organs do not fit the typical definitions for male or female bodies. (4/5)

AP: Tennessee Mental Health Support Line adds SMS functionality

A phone line in Tennessee that provides mental health assistance to callers during the COVID-19 pandemic has the ability to speak by text message. The state Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse says the pandemic stress emotional support line now allows people to call or text the line on 888-642-7886 every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. (4/6)

AP: CDC investigation wanted into HIV outbreak in WVa’s largest county

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin filed a Congressional investigation Monday with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding an HIV outbreak in West Virginia’s largest county. The West Virginia Democrat asked for an investigation on behalf of the Kanawha County Commission two months after a CDC official warned that the county outbreak was “the most worrying in the United States”. (Raby, 4/6)

KHN: Missouri “voted for that lie,” says the state representative trying to block Medicaid’s expansion

It’s tough to qualify for Medicaid as an adult in Missouri. Single adults aren’t eligible for coverage at all through the state program – called MO HealthNet – and parents can’t earn more than 21% of federal poverty: $ 5,400 in 2021 for a family of three. That was set to change on July 1, as last summer voters approved a constitutional amendment that made Missouri the 38th state to expand Medicaid coverage through the Affordable Care Act. Single adults would be covered if they earned less than $ 17,770. (Martinez Valdivia, 4/6)

In Covid Updates from Texas, Arizona, Ohio and Massachusetts –

Dallas Morning News: Near-capacity crowd gathers at Globe Life Field as Rangers fans attempt to return to normal in the largest documented event during the pandemic

A crowd of 38,238 people gathered at Globe Life Field on Monday afternoon to watch the Texas Rangers battle the Toronto Blue Jays. This was the largest publicly documented attendance at an event during the COVID-19 pandemic. The stadium was fully occupied for the home opener on Monday – 40,158 – and was officially announced as a sell-out. However, the health protocols set by the stadium proved difficult to enforce as thousands of people flocked to the stadium during the afternoon. (Smith and Blum, 4/5)

AP: Some companies want to wear masks even if states drop mandates

Several weeks have passed since Texas ended its COVID-19 mask mandate. But if you want to grab a snack at Soul Popped Gourmet Popcorn in Austin’s Barton Creek Square Mall, you will still be turned away if you don’t wear face covering. “We cannot afford to take risks with the lives of my employees. They are young people and their parents entrusted me with their care, ”says owner De J. Lozada. She also worries about her 85-year-old father who will soon be returning to his part-time job in the business. (Rosenberg, 4/5)

AP: Arizona Governor signs COVID-19 liability shield

Governor Doug Ducey signed law Monday that offers businesses, nursing homes and others broad protection from lawsuits related to COVID-19. This makes Arizona the youngest state to restrict liability after the pandemic. Republican lawmakers approved the legislation in House and Senate votes last week, saying companies had problems during the pandemic and shouldn’t have to worry about the potential for frivolous lawsuits. (4/5)

Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio to Consolidate Healthcare Orders into One; Masks, social distancing still required

Ohio has merged many of its health care orders into one, but masks and social distancing are still required, Governor Mike DeWine said Monday. The new health ordinance, enacted on Monday, focuses on four priorities: wearing masks, keeping your distance, washing your hands and spending more time outside than inside. “If we can keep these four things in mind, we’ll be able to do whatever we want to do this summer,” said DeWine. “People are tired. They have been with us for a year and so it has to be easy.” (Balmert, 4/5)

Boston Globe: A year before the pandemic, DCF workers only visiting about half of the children in person

Massachusetts Child Protection Agency workers see only about half of the children personally under their supervision each month, state data shows. This shows how reliant the state is on remote check-ins during the pandemic, even if schools, day care centers, and others have largely reverted to face-to-face interactions. The October death of David Almond, a mentally challenged teenager from Fall River, underscored the potential risks of relying solely on virtual visits, especially if other safeguards fail. The 14-year-old’s father and his father’s girlfriend, now charged with murder in his death, routinely hosted his video meetings with social workers at the Department of Children and Families to hide his abuse. (Stout, 4/5)

This is part of the KHN Morning Briefing, a round-up of health coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.