The cast of "Ted Lasso" on Monday visited the White House to "discuss the importance of mental health," in today's bite-sized hospital and health industry news from the District of Columbia, Utah, and Wyoming.
 

• District of Columbia: The cast of "Ted Lasso" on Monday visited the White House to "discuss the importance of mental health" with President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden. On Sunday, President Biden tweeted a picture of a sign that said "BELIEVE" above a door that leads to the Oval Office — a reference to the poster above the office of coach Ted Lasso in the Apple TV+ show. In the show, the issue of mental health is a key part of the storyline, with Lasso experiencing panic attacks and attending therapy sessions. According to an announcement from Apple TV+, cast members Hannah Waddingham, Brendan Hunt, Phil Dunster, Brett Goldstein, Jeremy Swift, Toheeb Jimoh, Kola Bokinni, Cristo Fernandez, Billy Harris, and James Lance joined Jason Sudeikis, who plays Lasso, for the meeting. "Ted Lasso" has "inspired the world through its universal themes around optimism, kindness, and determination and the Lasso philosophy to 'believe,'" Apple TV+ said in its statement. (Falconer, Axios, 3/19)

• Utah: Gov. Spencer Cox (R) on Thursday signed Senate Bill 36 into law, granting NPs full practice authority (FPA) and removing barriers that prevented them from establishing their own practices. With FPA, NPs are authorized to assess patients; diagnose, order, and interpret diagnostic tests; and create and manage treatment plans under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing. When Cox signed the bill, Utah became the 27th state to adopt FPA, along with the District of Columbia and two U.S. territories. "We applaud Utah for recognizing the need to update laws and make the most of their healthcare workforce," said April Kapu, president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. "In the last two-and-a-half years, four other states have taken similar action. These changes will help Utah attract and retain nurse practitioners, and provide patients access to high-quality care," Kapu said. "We thank Gov. Cox and the legislature for prioritizing patients and taking action to improve healthcare." (Davis, HealthLeaders, 3/17)

• Wyoming: Gov. Mark Gordon (R) on Friday signed a bill that bans abortion pills in most cases, making it the first state to ban the medication. According to the legislation, the use of abortion medication is prohibited with a few exceptions, including the treatment of "natural miscarriage according to currently accepted medical guidelines." Under the law, any provider or person who prescribes, distributes, or provides abortion medication could face a maximum prison sentence of six months and a fine of up to $9,000. However, women who pursue chemical abortions will not be criminally prosecuted. Gordon noted that the state is expecting legal challenges and that "this question needs to be decided as soon as possible so that the issue of abortion in Wyoming can be finally resolved," the Associated Press reports. (Chen, Axios, 3/18)