TN Department of Health gets new assistant commissioner
Press release from state Department of Health
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Valerie Oliver, MBA, CPA has been named assistant commissioner for administrative services for the Tennessee Department of Health. She comes to this position after serving as department controller for TDH since April 2015.
TN drug overdose deaths increased again in 2016
News release from state Department of Health
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Department of Health data show 1,631 Tennesseans died from drug overdoses in 2016, the highest annual number of such deaths recorded in state history. This is an increase from the 1,451 overdose deaths recorded among Tennessee residents in 2015.
Judge ends offer of reduced jail time for vasectomies, blames state Dept. of Health
White County General Sessions Court Judge Sam Benningfield has rescinded his controversial offer to reduce the jail sentences of male prisoners who get vasectomies and female prisoners who get contraceptive implants, reports WTVF-TV. He blames the state health officials for the decision.
The contraceptive procedures were offered free by the state Department of Health when the judge in May issued an order authorizing 30-days off jail times for inmates who undergo the procedures. He issued a new order rescinding the offer for new inmates, saying officials have advised him the department “will no longer offer free vasectomies… and will not provide the free Nexplanon implant” to White County inmates who get a sentence reduction.
The judge said in his order that those who had already signed up – at least 32 women and 38 men, according to an earlier report — will still get the 30-day sentence reduction without going through the procedures. The order says these inmates have “demonstrated to the court their desire to improve their situations and take serious and considered steps toward their rehabilitation.”
