While social media platforms can help connect diverse communities and create a sense of belonging, youth often face negative experiences using them, like increased rates of depression and anxiety. The California Assembly’s Health Committee met on April 9 to discuss Assembly Bill 2390, known as the Social Media Harm Reduction Pilot Program, which could help … Read more
A new bill that would require Medi-Cal health plans to cover social determinants of health (SDOH) screenings and provide access to community health workers is gaining support in the California Legislature. Assembly Bill 2250 would build on Medi-Cal’s ramped up efforts to incorporate health-related social needs into the traditional medical setting. It was approved by … Read more
California is the fifth-largest supplier of food and agricultural commodities in America, and produces about half of the nation’s fruits and vegetables. As the prices of groceries continue to rise, California legislators are working to address the growing rates of food insecurity through Assembly Bill 1961, known as the End Hunger in California Act of … Read more
Lawmakers advanced two bills aiming to improve access and equity in California’s Medicaid system (Medi-Cal) during an Assembly Health Committee meeting this month. Assembly Bill 2446 would expand access to medically-necessary diapers, while AB 2339 would increase access to telehealth services. California has the most restrictive guidelines for establishing a need for medically-necessary diapers, according … Read more
Menopausal symptoms impact a quarter of the working women in the U.S., and a Mayo Clinic study found that menopause costs $1.8 billion in lost working time, which includes the loss of employees who retire early from its symptoms and related stigmas. California’s Select Committee on Reproductive Health met with a member of the British … Read more
Last year, the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California (LCHC) helped compose Senate Bill 435, which would have disaggregated data for Latine and Indigenous Mesoamerican communities in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed the bill, however, and the LCHC responded by presenting another bill with the same goals this year, SB 1016. California has the largest … Read more
Senators discussed mental health and substance abuse challenges during a joint meeting between the Select Committee on Mental Health and Addiction and the Select Committee on California’s Mental Health last week. They noted that making progress on addressing these issues cannot be done without a strong healthcare workforce. Dr. Janet Coffman, co-associate director at the … Read more
Asm. Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D — San Mateo), a 45-year-old chair of California’s Select Committee on Reproductive Health, expressed during a recent meeting how women are told that menopause is inevitable and that they should just deal with it. At the same time, those in perimenopause and menopause experience brain fog, hot flashes, insomnia—all during the … Read more
Last month’s CARE (Community, Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment) Act Working Group meeting in California featured discussions about successes with the initiative’s implementation, as well as challenges and how those are being addressed. The CARE Act provides guidance for connecting individuals with a court-ordered care plan and a supporter for up to 24 months. “We know, … Read more
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a unified healthcare financing bill, Senate Bill 770, into law on Oct. 7th. California has become the first state in the country to pass such a bill, paving the way towards greater healthcare equity and accessibility. The bill requires the secretary of California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) to consult … Read more