Health

California wants to increase pay for some Medi-Cal providers. How it might help patients access care

by Ana B. Ibarra May 23, 2023May 23, 2023

California officials are proposing to increase reimbursement rates for some Medi-Cal providers, who say low pay rates prevent them from taking more patients.

Several efforts are underway to cut insulin costs in California. Photo by George Frey, REUTERS

Health

California has tried to cut the cost of insulin for years. Why it might finally succeed

by Kristen Hwang May 17, 2023May 17, 2023

The outline of the Madera Community Hospital sign and crest on the main buildings of the hospital on Jan. 2, 2023. The sign was removed after the hospital announced its closure due to bankruptcy pushing the county into a state of emergency. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Health

To head off hospital closures, California legislators are fast-tracking a loan program

by Ana B. Ibarra May 4, 2023May 4, 2023

A nurse checks on a patient in the Emergency Room unit of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister on March 30, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Health

Newsom breaks deal to lower price of Covered California. Lawmakers move to hold him to it

by Kristen Hwang May 3, 2023May 4, 2023

Mindy Lym has been living with long COVID since the summer of 2022. After months of bed rest, she's now living in Camas, Washington, where her symptoms are improving but are still a day to day challenge. Photo by Celeste Noche for CalMatters

Coronavirus

Long COVID in California: ‘A pandemic of loneliness and social isolation and rejection’

by Kristen Hwang April 27, 2023April 28, 2023

A medical personnel working on her computer in the corridor of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital in Hollister on March 30, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Health

California’s lowest paid health workers want a pay boost. Why industry leaders are pushing back

by Ana B. Ibarra April 25, 2023April 28, 2023

Protesters cheer during a Planned Parenthood rally in support of abortion access outside the Supreme Court in Washington on April. 15, 2023. Photo by Nathan Howard, AP Photo

Health

Supreme Court upholds approval of abortion pill — what it means for Californians

by Kristen Hwang April 21, 2023April 21, 2023

Brandy Tseu uses an electronic cigarette at The Vapor Spot vapor bar in Los Angeles on March 4, 2014. Photo by Mario Anzuoni, Reuters

Capitol, Health

Tobacco sales phaseout withers in California without support from anti-tobacco advocates

by Alexei Koseff April 13, 2023April 13, 2023

Beth Kenny at Crab Cove in Alameda, Calif., on Friday on Apr. 8th, 2023. Photo by Felix Uribe for CalMatters

Coronavirus

The California mask mandate is gone. Now some patients fear for their health.

by Kristen Hwang April 11, 2023April 11, 2023

Bottles of the drug misoprostol sit on a table on March 15, 2022. Misoprostol is used as the second step in a medication abortion.Photo by Allen G. Breed, AP Photo

Health

What can California do about abortion pill ruling? Not much

by Kristen Hwang April 7, 2023April 13, 2023