Daily Edition for Friday, September 15, 2023
Governor's Desk Piled High With Health-Related Bills: The California Legislature wrapped up late Thursday with a flurry of activity on health worker pay, pharmacy errors, unemployment benefits, gun control, and more. Read more from CalMatters. Scroll down for in-depth coverage.
Legislature Passes Newsom’s Proposal to Retool Mental Health Services Act
By Molly Castle Work
The California Legislature greenlighted Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest plan to build more housing and increase addiction treatment as part of his response to the state’s homelessness and drug crises.
Legislatura aprueba la propuesta de Newsom para reformar la Ley de Servicios de Salud Mental
By Molly Castle Work
Newsom prometió que la recién rebautizada Ley de Servicios de Salud Mental construiría 10,000 nuevas camas y viviendas para personas sin hogar con necesidades de salud mental.
A New Covid Booster Is Here. Will Those at Greatest Risk Get It?
By Amy Maxmen
The CDC says everyone over 6 months old should get the new covid booster. But the emergency response mechanisms that supported earlier vaccine campaigns are gone. As one expert wonders: How to get boosters to people beyond Democrats, college graduates, and those with high incomes?
Rural Nursing Home Supporters Fear Proposed Staffing Standards Will Trigger More Closures
By Tony Leys
The Biden administration says a recently proposed minimum staffing standard would help ensure quality care, but nursing home leaders predict many rural facilities would struggle to meet it.
Social Security Overpays Billions to People, Many on Disability, Then Demands the Money Back
By David Hilzenrath and Jodie Fleischer, Cox Media Group
Beneficiaries in five states described what happened when they received letters calling on them to return overpayments that can reach tens of thousands of dollars or more.
KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Underinsured Is the New Uninsured
The annual U.S. Census Bureau report this week revealed a drop in the uninsured rate last year as more working-age people obtained employer coverage. However, this year’s end of pandemic-era protections — which allowed many people to stay on Medicaid — is likely to have changed that picture quite a bit since. Meanwhile, reports show […]
Daily Edition for Thursday, September 14, 2023
Health care legislation, gun violence, covid, abortion access, electronic records, STDs, fentanyl, and more are in the news.
As More Patients Email Doctors, Health Systems Start Charging Fees
By Harris Meyer
Doctors say billing for email consultations reduces message volume and gives them more free time. The increasingly prevalent practice has also raised fears about negative impacts to patient care.
Abortion Bans Fuel a Rise in High-Risk Patients Heading to Illinois Hospitals
By Kristen Schorsch, WBEZ Chicago
High-risk patients from states that heavily restrict abortion are coming to hospitals in states such as Illinois that protect abortion rights. The journey can mean more medical risks and higher bills.