Health

A Planned Parenthood letter sign outside a beige concrete building with glass windows.

Health

Planned Parenthood of California loses $300 million in federal funding under court order

Only a handful of Planned Parenthood organizations will continue to receive money from the federal government. None of them are in California.

By

Kristen Hwang

• July 23, 2025

A person stands in a dark room, looking out through two glass doors, while wearing a polo shirt that reads “The Lake” on the chest. Light is shining through the glass doors, illuminating part of the room and allowing the outside to be visible.

Mental Health

She kept challenging one of California’s biggest health insurers. Then, it tried to cut her off

A California addiction center found a way to compel Anthem to cover patients it rejected. Their dispute reflects a broader tug-of-war in mental health treatment.

By

Jocelyn Wiener

and

Byrhonda Lyons

• July 22, 2025

A person, with medium-length blonde hair and wearing a blue striped shirt, sits on a bench next to a window inside a home.

Health

Get insurance on Covered California? What you need to know about cost increases

The GOP budget bill made significant changes to Covered California, which experts and insurers say will increase out-of-pocket costs for consumers.

By

Kristen Hwang

• July 22, 2025

A person carries a large plastic bucket filled with produce on their shoulder while working in a field of green crops during harvest. Surrounded by others bending over the plants, the individual wears a long-sleeve shirt, hat, and face covering for sun protection. A tractor and trailer are visible in the background under the warm early morning or late afternoon light.

Politics

California OSHA inspectors don’t visit worksites even when workers are injured

Nearly a third of Cal/OSHA positions were vacant last year. A new state audit found that caused the agency to skip in-person inspections, even when workers were injured.

By

Jeanne Kuang

• July 19, 2025

Medical students — wearing face masks, scrubs and lab jackets — gather around a doctor who points to a computer monitor in the hallway of a hospital.

Health

Republicans cap student loan debt. Why that’s bad news for California medical students

Doctors regularly need to pay more than $300,000 for medical school, including tuition and housing. New regulations signed by President Donald Trump cap their federal borrowing at $200,000 for medical degrees.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

and

Kristen Hwang

• July 15, 2025

Health

Higher premiums and lost coverage: How Trump’s budget changes health care in California

Lower-income people will be the hardest hit. Over the next 10 years, 3.4 million Californians could lose coverage.

By

Ana B. Ibarra

and

Kristen Hwang

• July 10, 2025

A four-grid photo containing the images of four lawmakers. The lawmaker on the top left has blonde hair and wears a gray blazer. The lawmaker on the top right has their hair tied up in a bun and wears a purple pinstripe blazer. The lawmaker on the bottom left has curly brown hair tied up in a low ponytail and wears a blue blazer and white blouse. The lawmaker on the bottom left has short honey-colored hair and wears an orange blouse.

Health

‘Joy turned into shame’: California’s Latino Caucus agonized over slashing immigrant health care

One of the most powerful political blocs in California, the Latino Caucus had to balance reining in Medi-Cal's rising costs with helping undocumented immigrants. All but four overcame their misgivings and voted to freeze new enrollment and make other cuts to immigrant health insurance.

By

Kristen Hwang

• July 3, 2025

A stylized digital collage shows two people talking on phones, facing each other across the image. On the left, a person with short hair, glasses, and a patterned shirt speaks with a concerned expression. On the right, a person with curly hair pulled back looks thoughtful while holding a phone to their ear. Scribbled white lines near each head symbolize confusion or emotional distress. The background features rough textures and warm-toned graphic shapes in orange and pink.

Mental Health

Mental health support centers are reeling from California budget cuts, with layoffs expected

Operators of mental health support lines are laying off staff and ceasing or curtailing services due to California budget cuts and a 2024 ballot measure.

By

Jocelyn Wiener

• July 3, 2025

Health

Will California ban ultra-processed foods in school meals?

The Legislature is considering phasing out chemical additives in school meals linked to health problems. Opponents say the definitions are so broad that it could ban items like tomato sauce and olive oil.

By

Kristen Hwang

• June 27, 2025

Two people wearing white coats put on gloves in front of a table filled with lab equipment.

Higher Education

Trump cancelled millions in California research grants. Judges want to restore them

The science grants are a core aspect of university operations and science development in the U.S. At the University of California alone, National Institutes of Health funding brought in $2.6 billion last year.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• June 24, 2025