A Biden Win and Republican Senate Might Lead to Gridlock on Health Issues
By Julie Rovner
If Democrat Joe Biden is successful in his bid for the presidency but the Senate remains in GOP control, Democrats’ plans for major changes in health care may be curbed. The federal role in those policies is at stake — as is California’s ambitious health care agenda.
In Becerra, an HHS Nominee With Political Skill But No Front-Line Health Experience
By Rachana Pradhan and Angela Hart and Julie Rovner and Jenny Gold
Despite his lack of front-line experience, Democrats see the California attorney general as an important ally to shepherd a progressive agenda on the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, reproductive health services and immigration.
California AG Seeks More Power To Battle Merger-Hungry Health Care Chains
By Rachel Bluth
Xavier Becerra has made battling health care consolidation a priority since he became attorney general. Now that COVID-19 threatens vulnerable health care practices, he’s pushing to expand his authority to slow health care mergers.
Sin presidente todavía, el futuro de la salud también sigue siendo incierto
By Julie Rovner
Lo que está en juego es si el gobierno federal desempeñará un papel central en las decisiones de salud o cederá más autoridad a los estados y al sector privado.
‘Terrible Role-Modeling’: California Lawmakers Flout Pandemic Etiquette
By Samantha Young and Rachel Bluth
As California workers and schoolchildren struggled to work from home, state lawmakers met in person. And as their legislative session came to a close in late August, they broke COVID rules: They huddled, let their masks slip below their noses, removed their masks to drink coffee — and required a new mom to vote in person while toting her hungry newborn.
California Shies Away From Calls To Eliminate Restrictions On Nurse Practitioners
By Rachel Bluth
Many states are dramatically loosening regulations on nurse practitioners as the coronavirus pandemic increases demand for health care workers. But not California.
As Long Waits for Results Render COVID Tests ‘Useless,’ States Seek Workarounds
By Matt Volz and Phil Galewitz
With COVID-19 tests bogged down in backlogs, some states that relied on private laboratories, such as Quest Diagnostics, are trying to adapt as caseloads rise.
The High Cost Of Being Trump’s Enemy
By Rachel Bluth
The ongoing feud between President Donald Trump and California’s Democratic leaders is costing the Golden State hundreds of millions of health care dollars — with billions more at stake.
As Cases Spike, California Pauses Multimillion-Dollar Testing Expansion
By Angela Hart and Rachel Bluth
California is cutting off funding for COVID-19 testing just when counties say they need more resources in rural and disadvantaged areas.
