Daily Edition for Thursday, April 17, 2025
Fatal Drug Overdoses Rise in San Francisco: Accidental drug overdose deaths in San Francisco rose for the fourth straight month after showing a promising decline last year, according to preliminary figures released Wednesday by the Office of the Medical Examiner. Sixty-five people fatally overdosed in March, bringing the monthly average to 64 over the past three months. Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
RFK Jr. Struggles To Navigate Frustrated Supporters and a Demanding Boss
By Stephanie Armour
Leaders of the “Make America Healthy Again” movement cheered the ascent of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Health and Human Services secretary, but their wish list is far from being realized.
Fate of Black Maternal Health Programs Is Unclear Amid Federal Cuts
By Ronnie Cohen
In California, Black women are at least three times as likely as white women to die from pregnancy-related causes. Santa Clara County initiatives aimed at reducing racial disparities work but depend on federal dollars — money that might not flow amid budget cuts and a push to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Beyond Ivy League, RFK Jr.’s NIH Slashed Science Funding Across States That Backed Trump
By Rae Ellen Bichell and Rachana Pradhan
A KFF Health News analysis underscores how the terminations have spared no part of the country, politically or geographically. Of the organizations that had grants cut in the first month, about 40% are in states President Donald Trump won in November.
Daily Edition for Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Fresno County Sees Large Spike In Domestic Violence Calls: Between 2019 and 2023, domestic violence calls to law enforcement more than doubled in Fresno County from roughly 6,500 to more than 13,300, according to data provided to the state Department of Justice by local police and sheriff’s departments across California. Read more from The Intersection.
In Rural Massachusetts, Patients and Physicians Weigh Trade-Offs of Concierge Medicine
By Karen Brown, New England Public Media
A stressed primary care system has led many doctors to start practices that charge membership fees in exchange for shorter waits and longer appointments. Observers say the doctor shortage needs a more systemic fix.
Daily Edition for Tuesday, April 15, 2025
California Closes Medicaid Funding Gap: California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Monday to close a $2.8 billion budget gap in the state’s Medicaid services and ensure coverage through June for 15 million people, including immigrants, who receive health care via the program. Read more from AP.
El temor a la deportación agrava los problemas de salud mental que enfrentan los trabajadores de los centros turísticos de Colorado
By Natalie Skowlund
Las comunidades latinas, que constituyen una proporción significativa de la población residente permanente en estos pueblos de montaña, son particularmente vulnerables.
States Push Medicaid Work Rules, but Few Programs Help Enrollees Find Jobs
By Sam Whitehead and Phil Galewitz and Katheryn Houghton
Republicans are pushing to implement requirements that Medicaid recipients work in order to obtain or retain coverage. Some states try to help enrollees find jobs. But states lack the data to show whether they’re effective.
Deportation Fears Add to Mental Health Problems Confronting Colorado Resort Town Workers
By Natalie Skowlund
The Latino communities who make up significant proportions of year-round populations in Colorado’s mountain towns already experience heightened mental health concerns. Now, deportation fears are increasing their stress.
