Public News Service

Since 2009, Market Match has served tens of thousands of low-income Californians to buy produce at markets like this one in San Francisco.(Heart of the City Market)

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Groups plead with CA legislators to save Market Match program

California's program helping low-income families buy fresh fruit and vegetables is on the chopping block and health care advocates are asking legislat…

Las estad�sticas muestran que las mujeres representan casi dos tercios de los estadounidenses de 65 a�os o m�s que padecen la enfermedad de Alzheimer. (Africa Studio/Adobestock)

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

En el Día Nacional de las Decisiones de Atención Médica, defensores destacan la planificación del final de la vida

Hoy es el Día Nacional de las Decisiones de Atención Médica, un día en el que se anima a todos a revisar su planificación …

Statistics show that women make up nearly two-thirds of Americans 65 or older living with Alzheimer's disease. (Africa Studio/Adobestock)

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

On National Healthcare Decisions Day, advocates spotlight end-of-life planning

Today is National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day when everyone is encouraged to review their end-of-life planning. The 2024 Alzheimer's Association …

The Health4All Coalition rallied in Sacramento on Monday, asking state lawmakers to open up the Covered California health insurance exchange to all people, regardless of their immigration status. (Ed Sifuentes/CA Immigrant Policy Center)

Coalition presses to open health exchange to undocumented Californians

This week, groups fighting for health equity known as the Health4All campaign are asking the California Legislature to remove barriers to the …

A new bill would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to carry out a new grant program, to fund a 24/7 helpline for parents and youths. (Raushan_films/Adobestock)

Bill would fund National Parent & Youth Helpline

The new National Parent & Youth Helpline has already taken 6,700 calls, texts and live chats since its inception in January, and now the U.S…

New EPA rules on vehicle emissions aim to save drivers money through reduced fuel and maintenance costs of electric and hybrid vehicles. (Tongpatong/Adobestock)

Environmental advocates cheer new EPA clean-car rules

Clean-air groups are calling the Biden administration's new rules on vehicle pollution the single biggest action the Environmental Protection Agency h…

Care4All California, a coalition of more than 70 healthcare advocacy groups, is pressing for a package of bills this legislative session to rein in healthcare costs and improve equity. (Kit Bear/HealthAccess CA)<br />

CA healthcare advocates unveil package of bills to lower costs

On Tuesday, Care4All California, a coalition fighting for affordable health care, unveiled a package of bills its members say they would like state …

A recent survey from the California Health Care Foundation found that almost three-quarters of low-income people say they skipped or postponed health care because of cost in the past year. (Kenishirotie/Adobestock)

Public comment sought on proposal to limit growth in health-care costs

Health plan premiums and deductibles have risen sharply in recent years - so the state Office of Health Care Affordability is proposing to limit growt…

Many school lunch programs are introducing more non-meat, non-dairy meals to normalize a healthier, more climate-friendly plant-based diet. (CivilEats)

California leads way in low-carbon school meals

By Naoki Nitta for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public Ne…

Studies indicate that fluoride varnish can prevent about one-third of cavities in baby teeth. (Lucky Business/Adobestock)

For Children's Dental Health Month, expert tips on avoiding cavities

February is Children's Dental Health Month - and experts advise parents to start with the basics right away, even with newborns. Parents should …

Asian Health Services in Oakland, like many community health centers, tailors healthcare to their region, with culturally competent staff who speak multiple languages. (Asian Health Center)

Community health leaders press Congress for more stable funding

Community Health Center leaders are pleading with Congress to pass a budget deal by March 8 to avoid a partial government shutdown - arguing that the …

Millions expected to wear red today for start of 'American Heart Month'

Today is National Wear Red Day, part of American Heart Month in February. Lots of celebrities and news anchors will be wearing red, and many iconic …

Advocates say programs that help children should be protected during the upcoming negotiations over the state budget. (Weedezign/Adobestock)

2024 Children’s Report Card shows CA behind in many areas

California's children are doing well - the vast majority have health insurance and access to transitional kindergarten - but the state is far behind i…

The Health4All coalition has pushed for many years for full-scope Medi-Cal for all income-eligible Californians regardless of immigration status. (Health4All Coalition)

Medi-Cal immigration status exclusion ends Monday

Starting Monday, California becomes the first state to cover health care for all income-eligible people regardless of their age or immigration status…

Save the Children's early childhood coordinators alleviate transportation issues by meeting with each family in their home. (Save the Children)

Programs help rural families bond to nurture healthy kids

Studies show that 90% of a child's brain develops by age six - so Save the Children's home-visiting program helps families build a strong, positive…

Members of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists lobbied in the nation's capital to designate licensed marriage and family therapists as Medicare providers. (CAMFT)

Medicare expands mental health options starting next month

People on Medicare who want to see a therapist often wait up to six months for an appointment, but relief is on the way. Starting Jan. 1, licensed …

The 2023 America's Health Rankings report showed a 38% increase in the rate of premature death for people under 75 between 2018 and 2021. (sudok1/Adobe Stock)

Report: CA needs work on air pollution, colorectal cancer screenings

The 2023 America's Health Rankings report is out, and the news is not great for the Golden State in three very different areas. California ranks …

Una nueva encuesta revela que s�lo el 18% de los votantes que hab�an completado una directiva anticipada o testamento en vida la hab�an compartido tanto con su apoderado de atenci�n m�dica como con su m�dico. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

Encuesta revela discriminación rampante en la atención médica

Según una nueva encuesta." patrocinada por Compassion & Choices, el cual es un grupo de defensa para los cuidados al final de la vida, el 25% de …

A new poll finds that 45% of voters with an advance directive or living will have shared it with their healthcare proxy but just 18% have shared it with their doctor as well. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

Survey finds rampant discrimination in health care

In a new poll, 25% of voters say they have "personally experienced or witnessed discrimination in health care due to race, ethnicity, gender…

For the week ending December 8, California saw more than 2000 new hospital admissions for COVID-19. (Marko Klari/Wirestock/Adobestock)

As infections rise, only 10% of Californians have COVID booster

The annual winter rise in COVID infections is here, but so far, only 10% of Californians have gotten the latest booster shot, according to the state …

A CARE Court treatment plan lasts up to two years and can assist with housing, medical care, addiction treatment, counseling, and more. (SB Arts Media/Adobe Stock)

CARE Court program opens in California's largest county

The state's largest county has just opened the new CARE Court system, designed to get help for severely mentally ill people in Los Angeles. CARE …

By some estimates, more than 15 million people covered through the ACA exchanges nationally, and 20 million insured by the Medicaid expansion would lose coverage if the Affordable Care Act was repealed. (Fizkes/Adobe Stock)

Health care advocates push back on Trump’s threats against ACA

Advocates for affordable health care are speaking out to remind people what is at stake if the Affordable Care Act is repealed in the wake of recent s…

A detail from an illustration created by Hopelab depicts climate anxiety among youth. (Julie Tinker/Hopelab)

Research links climate-change impacts to depression in high schoolers

New research found natural disasters and pollution linked to climate change are contributing factors to high rates of anxiety and depression among you…

According to Pacific Environment, wind-assist propulsion can reduce greenhouse gas emissions per cargo ship by 30% over the course of a voyage. (Cargill and BAR Technologies)

Southern CA ports lead the way for 'green' shipping

The importance of making ports and shipping more environmentally friendly was the topic of a town hall meeting on Tuesday. Three California members …

The new California state budget made it possible to 'zero out' hospital deductibles in Silver plans for people with incomes under 250% of the Federal Poverty Level, saving people about $5,400 next year. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Open enrollment in CoveredCA health insurance marketplace begins today

If you do not have health insurance or if your employer-sponsored plan is too expensive, you may be in luck. Open enrollment starts today for the …

The Biden administration and the credit bureaus have announced a plan to clear an estimated 70% of negative medical debt from consumer credit reports. (Adobe Stock)

During Health Literacy Month, protect yourself from big hospital bills

October is Health Literacy Month and advocates are speaking out against big hospital bills. Studies show about two-thirds of bankruptcies in the U.S…

The keynote speaker at the first annual Student Leadership Summit will be State Superintendent of Schools Tony Thurmond. (Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons)

Hundreds of youth leaders gather for summit this weekend

Several hundred high school and college students are gathering online for the first annual Student Leadership Summit this weekend, hosted by the …

Peter Sussman es uno de los tres pacientes con discapacidad que han solicitado intervenir en una demanda contra la Ley de Opci�n Final de Vida de California. (Nancy Rubin)

CA Defensores piden intervención en caso de ayuda médica al morir y solicitan desestimación

La ley de ayuda médica al morir de California vuelve a los tribunales. Tres pacientes con discapacidad y dos médicos están pidiendo …

Peter Sussman is among three patients with disabilities who have asked to intervene in a lawsuit challenging California's End of Life Option Act. (Nancy Rubin)

Advocates ask to intervene in CA medical aid-in-dying case, request dismissal

California's medical aid-in-dying law is back in court. Three patients with disabilities and two doctors are asking to intervene in a lawsuit …

The Care4All campaign held a rally this week on the Capitol Steps in Sacramento, urging Governor Newsom to sign a package of bills. (Kit Bear/Health Access)

Consumer health advocates urge governor to sign bill package

Health care advocates are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign four bills aiming to lower medical bills, improve transparency, and make health care more …

Experts recommend checking into telehealth offerings when researching health plans ahead of the open-enrollment period. (Rido/Adobestock)

Health Care Open Enrollment Season is Here

It's open-enrollment season for most health-care plans - meaning within the next month and a half, you can make changes to your health plan. Open …

Charles R. Drew University in South Los Angeles recently welcomed its inaugural class of medical students. (CDU Communications Department)

Classes Begin at Only Historically Black Medical School on West Coast

Some 60 new medical students at Charles R. Drew University in South Los Angeles are making history just by starting classes at the first and only …

M�s del 95% de las escuelas estadounidenses cambiaron al aprendizaje remoto en la primavera de 2020 para frenar la propagaci�n de COVID-19; muchas clases no se reanudaron en persona durante m�s de un a�o. (Rob Thomas/Adobe Stock).

Informe: Sindicatos no influyeron tanto en cierre de escuelas por pandemia

Los demócratas del Comité de Supervisión de la Cámara de Representantes afirman que la investigación del GOP sobre si los sin…

More than 95% of American schools switched to remote learning in the spring of 2020 in order to slow the spread of COVID-19; many classes did not resume in person for more than a year. (Rob Thomas/Adobe Stock).

Report: Teachers’ Unions Did Not Unduly Influence Pandemic School Closures

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee say a GOP probe into whether teachers' unions had too much influence on pandemic school closures has come u…

Los datos muestran que el 72 % de los ni�os inscritos en la cobertura de salud de Medi-Cal son ni�os de color. (Creativa Images/Adobestock)

Miles de niños de CA pierden cobertura de Medi-Cal cada mes

Durante el próximo año, se espera que alrededor de 2.3 millones de californianos, un millón de ellos niños, pierdan Medi-Cal…

Data show that 72% of kids enrolled in Medi-Cal health coverage are children of color. (Creativa Images/Adobestock)

Thousands of CA Children Losing Medi-Cal Each Month; Most Still Eligible

Over the coming year about 2.3 million Californians, a million of them children, are expected to lose Medi-Cal, which is health insurance coverage …

Matt Fairchild pudo poner fin a su sufrimiento en 2022 gracias a la Ley de Opci�n del Fin de Vida de California.(Familia Fairchild)

Cambios en la Ley de Asistencia Médica para Morir de CA impulsan su uso en un 47%

Según un nuevo informe del Departamento de Salud Pública de California, una ley que acorta el periodo de espera para la ayuda médica …

Matt Fairchild was able to end his suffering in 2022 using California's End of Life Option Act.(Fairchild family)

Changes to CA's Medical Aid-in-Dying Law Spur 47% Jump in Use

A law shortening the waiting period for medical aid in dying has led to a 47% jump in prescriptions for the medication - according to a new report fro…

Health centers put on 800 community events across the nation this week, including this one at the Patterson Migrant camp in rural Stanislaus County. (Yamilet Valladolid/Golden Valley Health Centers)

One in Five CA Patients Gets Care at Community Health Centers

National Health Center Week is in full swing with events across the country celebrating the impact of community health centers serving 20% of Californ…

According to the Wireless Industry Association, in 2022 the United States had more than 142,000 cell towers and more than 450,000 outdoor small cell nodes. (Kinwun/Adobestock)

Advocates Criticize Proposal to Limit Local Control Over 5G Equipment

Consumer groups are fighting a proposal in Congress which would fast-track installation of 5G high-speed wireless internet equipment by limiting local…

The Biden administration has been working on a federal heat standard for some time and is expected to debut new rules soon. (F Armstrong/Adobestock)

New Bills Expected Today on Federal Heat Protections for Workers

Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., is expected to reintroduce two bills as soon as today to protect workers from excessive heat. The first is the Asunci…

The Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act caps Covered California premium costs at 8.5% of income. About one-fifth of those enrolled pay no premiums. (Utah51/Adobestock)

CA Announces More Health Plan Subsidies as 2024 Rates Rise

New health care subsidies for low-income families are expected to soften the impact of rising premiums. On Tuesday CoveredCA announced premiums will …

Eli Timoner, de Pasadena (centro), recurri� a la ley estatal de ayuda m�dica para morir con el fin de poner fin a una enfermedad terminal. Su hija Ondi (izquierda) realiz� un documental nominado a un Emmy sobre el viacrucis de la familia. (Familia Timoner)

Avanza demanda contra Ley de Ayuda Médica para Morir en CA

La Ley de Ayuda Médica para Morir de California sigue siendo objeto de críticas esta semana, ya que el viernes es la fecha límite para …

Eli Timoner of Pasadena (center) used the state's medical aid-in-dying law to end his suffering from a terminal illness. His daughter Ondi (left) made an Emmy-nominated documentary about the family's journey. (Timoner Family)

Lawsuit Progresses Against CA’s Medical Aid-in-Dying Law

California's medical aid-in-dying law is still under fire this week - as Friday is the deadline for the state to respond to a federal lawsuit seeking …

A study from Peterson-KFF found 73% of ambulance rides for people working for large employers include an out-of-network charge. (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Proposal on 'Surprise' Ambulance Bills Moves through CA Legislature

Sometimes, patients who call an ambulance end up getting stuck with a big bill because the ambulance company does not have a contract with their …

The State of Immigrants in LA County report is a collaboration between the USC Equity Research Institute, the California Community Foundation, and the Council on Immigrant Inclusion. (California Community Foundation)<br />

CA Summit Highlights Immigrants' Contributions, Challenges

The 4th annual Immigration Summit wraps up today at the California Endowment in downtown Los Angeles. The summit has brought together almost 300 …

A new report found 15 percent of California children live in a family where someone quit, changed or refused a job due to problems with child care. (Africa Studio/Adobestock)

Report: CA Families Struggle to Find Affordable Child Care

California families are paying way too much for child care, according to the 2023 Kids Count Data Book out today from the Annie E. Casey Foundation…

Un caso ante la Corte Suprema del Estado de California analiza si una persona que ha sido nombrada agente de atenci�n m�dica en una instrucci�n anticipada tiene la capacidad legal para firmar un acuerdo de arbitraje solicitado por un centro de enfermer�a especializado. (Shishkin137/Adobe Stock)

Escritos de Amicus presentados en caso de arbitraje de abuso de personas de la tercera edad de CA

Esta semana, cuatro grupos de defensa han presentado un informe amicus curiae en un caso ante la Corte Suprema de California que involucra …

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CA: Health