What We’re Reading: New Mental Health Hotline; Deal Could Prevent Health Premium Spikes; NY Monkeypox Vaccines

National Mental Health Crisis Hotline 988 Launches July 16

Beginning Saturday, July 16, anyone experiencing a mental health emergency in the United States will be able to call or text the updated National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, 988, The New York Times reported. People can still use the original number, 1-800-273-8255, but experts hope the 3-digit number will be easier to remember and make the Lifeline more accessible to those who need it. Those who call the 24-hour Lifeline will be put in touch with trained counselors who can help them cope with general mental health concerns, emotional distress, and suicide crises, and can direct callers to additional resources as needed.

Democrats Work to Finalize Deal Preventing Health Premium Increases

Democrats in Congress are working to finalize a deal that would prevent a spike in health insurance costs for around 13 million Americans, The Washington Post reported. The deal relies on the support of Senator Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, who opposed last year’s Build Back Better Act for financial reasons. The new deal focuses on tax credits that assist Americans in low- and middle-income households in paying for their health insurance, which are currently set to expire in 2023, and it also aims to offer new help for the roughly 2.2 million people who do not qualify for federal aid but cannot enroll in Medicaid based on their state’s lack of expanded eligibility. Some senators have expressed hope for a finalized agreement by the end of August.

New Yorkers Face Challenges Accessing Monkeypox Vaccine Appointments

Despite more monkeypox vaccine appointments being released in New York City, they are still difficult to get, CBS News reported. Chelsea Sexual Health Clinic saw long lines for its limited walk-up appointments, and time slots added later in the day were booked within minutes. There are currently 223 reported cases in New York City, which is considered the epicenter of the monkeypox outbreak in the United States, and the White House announced it will send 14,000 additional vaccines to the city this week.