Public Health Roundup: Man With Disability Wants California Voting Rights Restored
In other developments out of Los Angeles, media outlets report on hepatitis C treatment rates and L.A. Unified health coverage.
The Associated Press:
San Diego Man Who Lost Ability To Speak And Walk Seeks To Have Voting Rights Restored
A former producer at NPR who lost his ability to walk and speak asked a judge Tuesday to restore his right to vote under a new California law that makes it easier for people with disabilities to keep that right and regain it if lost. (8/23)
KPCC:
LA County Treating Few People For Hepatitis C
Although Adolfo eventually kicked his habit, he's left with the consequences of his IV drug use. He learned about 10 years ago that he has hepatitis C. Today, Adolfo is one of the few patients that the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services has approved to receive powerful new drugs that effectively cure the virus. Health Services, which provides health care for about half a million low-income people, started dispensing these drugs a little over a year ago. (Plevin, 8/24)
Los Angeles Times:
L.A. Unified Finds Money To Expand Health Benefits Despite Budget Worries
The Los Angeles Board of Education on Monday voted to extend health benefits to two groups of part-time employees despite ongoing concerns about the school system’s long-term financial health. The employees winning health benefits include teacher assistants and playground aides, who are members of Local 99 of Service Employees International. The union’s win comes as the season nears for school board elections and candidate endorsements. The union is expected to be a significant player in the March 2017 elections. (Blume, 8/24)
Oakland Tribune:
Judge Dismisses Bay Area Cities' Suit Against Monsanto For Polluting Bay With PCBs
A judge has tossed a lawsuit filed against Monsanto Co. by the cities of San Jose, Oakland and Berkeley claiming that the St. Louis-based business is just as responsible as them for cleaning up harmful polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, in San Francisco Bay. U.S. District Court Judge Edward J. Davila, however, left the door open in his ruling Monday for the cities to amend and re-file the complaint. ... PCBs are known to cause a number of health issues, including cancer, in humans, and destroy populations of fish, birds and other animal life. Finally banned by Congress in 1979, the chemical was used in a variety applications, such as paint, sealants and lubricants. (Green, 8/24)