The National Suicide Hotline For LGBTQ+ Youth Shut Down. States Are Scrambling To Help.
LGBTQ+ youth lost dedicated support on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in July at a critical time. Advocates say mental health issues are rising in that population amid hostility from the Trump administration.
Push To Move OB-GYN Exam Out of Texas Is Piece of AGs鈥 Broader Reproductive Rights Campaign
Following a petition from Democratic state attorneys general, the American Medical Association adopted a position that medical certification exams should not be required in person in states with restrictive abortion policies. The action鈥檚 success was hailed as a win for Democrats trying to regain ground after the fall of Roe.
Newsom鈥檚 Push To Block Law Could Save California Nursing Homes Over $1 Billion
Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to block a state law that requires nursing homes to have 96 hours of backup power in the case of emergencies, potentially giving the industry a break from spending over $1 billion on facility upgrades. Patient advocates say rolling back the nursing home industry requirements for preparedness could jeopardize the safety of residents.
Amid Plummeting Diversity at Medical Schools, a Warning of DEI Crackdown鈥檚 鈥楥hilling Effect鈥
Enrollment of underrepresented groups at medical schools fell precipitously this academic year after the Supreme Court鈥檚 2023 ban on affirmative action. Education and health experts worry the Trump administration鈥檚 anti-DEI measures will only worsen the situation, even in states like California that have navigated bans on race-conscious admissions for years.
California Hospitals Scramble on Earthquake Retrofits as State Limits Extensions
California legislators for years have granted extensions on a 1994 law requiring hospitals to retrofit their buildings to withstand earthquakes. Gov. Gavin Newsom in September vetoed an extension for all hospitals but signed a bill granting relief to rural and 鈥渄istressed鈥 hospitals and some others.
In California, Faceoff Between Major Insurer and Health System Shows Hazards of Consolidation
Even as Anthem Blue Cross and University of California Health announced a contract agreement this month, analysts say patients are increasingly at risk of being affected by such disputes.
California Moves Ahead of the FDA in Banning Common Candy Additives
The legislation bans the use of four additives that are already prohibited in many other countries but remain in popular U.S. foods. Advocates say states need to act because the FDA has done little.
California鈥檚 Medical Board Can鈥檛 Pay Its Bills, but Doctors Resist Proposed Fixes
Patient advocates have long alleged the Medical Board of California is ineffective at policing doctors. But a proposal to beef up its budget and overhaul procedures faces stiff resistance from the doctors鈥 lobby.
California Debates Extending PTSD Coverage to More First Responders
A state Senate bill would extend workers鈥 compensation coverage of post-traumatic stress injuries for firefighters and police officers. But a separate bill to cover paramedics and EMTs is unlikely to be heard.
Pacientes negros visten elegante y hablan distinto para evitar prejuicios cuando van al m茅dico
Estos comportamientos se recogen en una encuesta con 3,325 participantes como parte de un estudio cuyo objetivo fue llamar la atenci贸n sobre el esfuerzo que deben realizar los pacientes negros para obtener una atenci贸n m茅dica de calidad.
Black Patients Dress Up and Modify Speech to Reduce Bias, California Survey Shows
Many Black patients also try to be informed and minimize questions to put providers at ease. 鈥淭he system looks at us differently,鈥 says the founder of the African American Wellness Project.
Despite Doctors鈥 Concerns, University of California Renews Ties With Religious Affiliates
The public university鈥檚 health system is renewing contracts with outside hospitals and clinics even as some doctors and faculty say clearer language is needed to protect physicians performing abortions and gender-affirming treatments.
California Aims to Maximize Health Insurance Subsidies for Workers During Labor Disputes
Workers who lose employer-based health coverage during a strike or lockout will have access to a full-subsidy plan through Covered California.
