A coalition of 22 states argues that the vaccine mandate has intensified workforce shortages at health care facilities and limited patient access to care.

After South Dakota voters elected to expand Medicaid eligibility, attention now turns to the 11 states that have yet to expand the program.

The Florida Department of Health does not recommend COVID-19 vaccines for "healthy children" and will not facilitate statewide vaccine distribution; health care providers still may order vaccines directly from the federal government.

At least 20 states are pursuing legislation to limit access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth, while some states have proposed legislation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Several states have enacted fiscal year 2022 budgets that include line items related to the pandemic. For example, Florida budgeted $326 million to continue response efforts and Washington allocated money to hire case investigators, contact tracers, and other positions to respond to COVID-19.

Six states — Arizona, California, Florida, Indiana, Oregon, and Washington — are experiencing a frequency of COVID-19 variants, first identified in Brazil and South Africa, greater than 10 percent. FDA recommends providers in these states use only the REGEN-COV monoclonal antibody for treatment.

So far, 26 states and Washington, D.C., publicly report varying data on race and ethnicity for individuals who have received the vaccination. States also have taken different approaches to addressing disparities in vaccine administration and vaccine hesitancy.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is supporting vaccination sites in 19 states and U.S. territories. States vary in their approaches to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to children; some are prioritizing subpopulations of children while others are involving child health stakeholders in planning.

Florida allocates $23 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding to mental health services in the state.

The administration approved the Pfizer vaccination for emergency use. In preparation, states — including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and Washington — have outlined their vaccine distribution plans, which must be submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Arkansas governor appointed a steering committee to recommend distribution methods for federal COVID-19 funds across the states. A new National Governors Association memorandum offers planning recommendations for concurrent emergencies during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

States are expanding requirements for hospitals to report their bed capacity and supply inventory, and readying facilities to expand capacity to treat patients with COVID-19. CMS has approved Section 1135 waivers for 38 states.