Dr. Wen talks to WEAA about the healthy drinks bill and other issues - including state protections for the Affordable Care Act.

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B'more is the nickname for Baltimore. But if this bill is signed into law, there may be less sugary drinks with kids' meals.

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Dr. Wen was interviewed on WYPR's Midday Healthwatch, where she talked about some of the key legislative battles being waged over public health policy, and addressed listeners' comments and questions.

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WYPR’s City Hall Reporter Dominique Maria Bonessi talks with Morning Edition Host, Nathan Sterner, about witnessing the vote and other measures that would ban various things in the city.

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"Research shows that naloxone distribution reduces fatal overdoses without increasing drug use. People who use drugs do not want to die, nor do they want to suffer through the pain of being revived with naloxone. Denying someone naloxone because it might make him use drugs is just as absurd as withholding an Epi-Pen because it might make someone eat more peanuts," said Dr. Wen.

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"Numerous studies have shown that regular consumption of sugary drinks is a major factor in childhood obesity, promoting public health officials to call for eliminating these empty calories as the single biggest lifestyle change parents and children can make," said Dr. Wen.

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In it's second reading the Baltimore City Council unanimously voted Monday for the Healthy Kids’ Meal Bill (17-0152). The bill sponsored by Councilmember Brandon Scott would make water, milk and 100% fruit juice and sparkling water the default beverage options for all restaurants kids’ meals in the city of Baltimore at no extra charge.

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Healthcare professionals can improve patient screening for opioid abuse and better identify patients with opioid use disorder, experts said here Friday, recognizing that these efforts will be difficult. 

"It's so frustrating because we know what works," said Dr. Leana Wen. "It's so easy, I cannot understand why we don't do it more ... We are rationing Narcan."

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The Baltimore City Council appears poised to pass a bill requiring restaurants to make children’s meals healthier, drawing ire from the industry.

“Taking out empty calories from sugary drinks is a powerful lifestyle change we can make to help our children to get and stay healthy,” said Dr. Leana Wen, the city’s health commissioner, in a statement. 

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Maryland lawmakers are considering their own version of the Affordable Care Act.  One bill that's getting the most attention would create an individual mandate. Residents without insurance would face a $700 fine or use that money for a down payment to purchase insurance.

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