California Explores Private Insurance for Immigrants Lacking Legal Status. But Is It Affordable?
Nearly half a million Californians without legal residency make too much to qualify for Medicaid yet they can鈥檛 afford to buy coverage. A state lawmaker is proposing to open up the state鈥檚 health insurance exchange as a first step to providing them affordable insurance.
California Senate鈥檚 New Health Chair to Prioritize Mental Health and Homelessness
California state Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman of Stockton has been appointed chair of the Senate鈥檚 influential health committee. A licensed social worker, Eggman said she will make mental health care and homelessness front-burner issues.
Sue帽o alterado y nervios de punta: la contaminaci贸n ac煤stica afecta la mente y el cuerpo
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Lost Sleep and Jangled Nerves: The Rising Onslaught of Noise Harms Mind and Body
Noise pollution is a growing problem that isn鈥檛 confined to the ears: It can cause harm throughout the body. California is taking baby steps to address the increasing din from traffic and illegally modified cars, but public health experts urge lawmakers to act more boldly.
Fight Over Health Care Minimum Wage Yields a Split Decision in Southern California
Voters in Inglewood were poised to approve a union-backed $25 minimum wage for workers at private hospitals and facilities, while Duarte voters rejected it.
Pacientes de California temen consecuencias de nueva propuesta electoral sobre cl铆nicas de di谩lisis
ELK GROVE, California – Toni Sherwin est谩 ansiosa por someterse al procedimiento que reubicar谩 su punto de di谩lisis de su pecho a su brazo, que ser谩 m谩s f谩cil de mantener seco. Desde que empez贸 la di谩lisis en febrero 鈥攃omo parte del tratamiento contra un c谩ncer de sangre鈥 se ha lavado el pelo en el fregadero […]
California Patients Fear Fallout From Third Dialysis Ballot Measure
Californians are facing the third statewide dialysis initiative in five years. The dialysis industry is spending tens of millions of dollars to defeat Proposition 29 and is running ads saying the measure would force clinics to close 鈥 a message that appears to be resonating with patients.
Labor Tries City-by-City Push in California for $25 Minimum Wage at Private Medical Facilities
Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West is testing the waters on a $25 minimum wage for support staff at health care facilities in Southern California. Opposition from hospitals and health facilities is driving an expensive battle.
Opponents of California鈥檚 Abortion Rights Measure Mislead on Expense to Taxpayers
California Together, which opposes Proposition 1, warns that taxpayers will pay millions more if the abortion rights constitutional amendment passes because it would attract women from out of state. We take a closer look.
California Wants to Snip Costs for Vasectomies
Vasectomies can cost hundreds of dollars out-of-pocket 鈥 or more. State lawmakers are debating whether to make the procedure free to millions of men.
In California, Abortion Could Become a Constitutional Right. So Could Birth Control.
Proposition 1, the constitutional amendment that would enshrine abortion in California鈥檚 constitution, would also lock in a right that has gotten less attention: the right to 鈥渃hoose or refuse鈥 contraception.
鈥楳y Body, My Choice鈥: How Vaccine Foes Co-Opted the Abortion Rallying Cry
Anti-vaccine advocates discovered a catchy, succinct, and potent slogan. Its unlikely source: the abortion rights movement.
Medi-Cal Will Cover Doulas at More Than Twice California鈥檚 Initial Proposed Rate
Under a budget passed by California lawmakers, the state will pay nonmedical workers who assist in pregnancy and labor up to $1,154 per birth through Medi-Cal, which is up significantly from Gov. Gavin Newsom鈥檚 initial offer of $450. Though it鈥檚 more than what most other states pay, many doulas say it falls short of the $3,600 they sought.
Politics and Pandemic Fatigue Doom California鈥檚 Covid Vaccine Mandates
Even in deep-blue California, Democratic lawmakers pulled their proposed covid vaccine requirements before they had a vote. The lawmakers blamed the ebbs and flows of the coronavirus, the public鈥檚 short attention span, and opposition from public safety unions.
Despite Losing Federal Money, California Is Still Testing Uninsured Residents for Covid 鈥 For Now
Federal funding that paid for covid testing, treatment, and vaccines for uninsured people has run out. While some states struggle to make up the difference, California is relying on other state and local programs to continue free testing.
Doctors Trying to Prescribe Abortion Pills Across State Lines Stymied by Legislation
Some doctors are getting licensed in multiple states so they can use telemedicine and mail-order pharmacies to provide medication abortions to more women. At the same time, states are cracking down on telemedicine abortions, blunting the efforts of out-of-state doctors.
Want Vulnerable Californians to Have Healthier Pregnancies? Doulas Say the State Must Pay Up.
California was supposed to start paying doulas this year to help Medicaid enrollees have healthy pregnancies. But the benefit has been delayed because doulas feel lowballed by the state鈥檚 proposed reimbursement rate, which is below what most other states pay.
California Governor’s Big Promises on Drug Prices Are Slow to Materialize
Gov. Gavin Newsom has launched several initiatives to cut rising drug prices, but the savings haven鈥檛 been as monumental as he promised. And his plan to have California make its own generic drugs hasn鈥檛 gotten off the ground.
Buffy Wicks Turns Her Health History Into Legislation
Assembly member who represents Oakland, is digging into abortion, vaccines and homelessness and drawing on her own health care experiences as she drafts bills.
With Sexually Transmitted Infections Off the Charts, California Pushes At-Home Tests
A new law makes California the first state to require that health insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover home STI tests. But some details still need to be worked out.
