health

Flowers are placed along along the Pacific Coast Highway, after a crash that killed four college students and injured two others, in Malibu, on Oct. 19, 2023. Officials say police have arrested a 22-year-old driver on suspicion of manslaughter. Sheriff's officials say six pedestrians were struck along the Pacific Coast Highway, a few miles east of Pepperdine University. Photo by Richard Vogel, AP Photo

Commentary

Speeding alerts in California cars could prevent the type of accidents that shattered my family

A father whose children died in a car accident on a San Bernardino County highway is calling on Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign a bill requiring automakers to add speeding alerts to new cars by 2030.

By Colin Campbell • September 26, 2024

A person wearing a blue shirt leans over the counter at a clinic's information desk, speaking to a staff member. A sign in the foreground directs visitors to wait until called forward. The clinic's reception area is clean and organized, with clear signage and pamphlets on display.

Health

A new California law will scrub most medical debt from credit reports

About 4 in 10 Californians are believed to be carrying medical debt, which can harm their chances of landing a mortgage or an apartment if it shows up on credit reports.

By

Ana B. Ibarra

• September 24, 2024

A person in a bright orange fleece sweater and a paisley dress sits on a chair inside a waiting room at a doctors office in Pasadena. A walking cane lays on the floor in front of them.

Health

California’s cap on health care costs is the nation’s strongest. But will patients notice?

California's new cap on health care cost increases is regarded as the most aggressive in the nation. It includes potential fines against companies that exceed the limit.

By

Kristen Hwang

• September 18, 2024

A newborn baby sleeps in a bed in a hospital room while their mother rests in a bed nearby, looking at her.

Health

California’s maternity care crisis is worsening as Newsom decides on bills to slow closures

Dozens of California hospitals shut their maternity wards over the past decade, and the trend continued in 2024 after lawmakers advanced plans to slow the closures.

By

Kristen Hwang

,

Erica Yee

and

Ana B. Ibarra

• September 16, 2024

Commentary

For Californians with immigrant parents, voting becomes a sacred privilege

Barriers to voting disproportionately impact marginalized members of California's communities. Voting is a privilege, and one that people with access should exercise.

By Namrata Venkatesan • September 11, 2024

Graduating students, wearing black and red cap and gowns with nursing sashes, mingle before the start of a commencement ceremony at Southwestern College.

Higher Education

Should California community colleges offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing? Universities say no — and Newsom agrees

Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes two bills to allow some community colleges to provide bachelor’s degrees in nursing, which set up another conflict with the California State University, a system that already offers these bachelor’s degrees.

By

Mikhail Zinshteyn

• September 6, 2024

A photo collage illustration in a pink and purple tone with cut-out images of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump with a caduceus, medical symbol, in the middle with textures and shapes.

Health

How will California health care change under Trump or Harris? Here’s what their records show

Kamala Harris investigated the market power of huge California health care companies. Donald Trump compelled hospitals to disclose prices. Here's a look at their 2024 priorities on health.

By

Ana B. Ibarra

• September 3, 2024

Health

Health insurer hit with California’s largest-ever penalty over gender-affirming care denials

A major California health insurer must hire a dedicated case manager for people diagnosed with gender dysphoria after state regulators found it improperly denied coverage to some patients.

By

Shaanth Nanguneri

• August 30, 2024

A pharmacy tech, at the bottom right side of the frame and wearing teal scrubs, fills prescriptions in front of a row of shelves with pill bottles at La Clinica in Oakland.

Health

These middlemen say they keep drug prices low. California lawmakers don’t buy it

Pharmacy benefit managers attempt to negotiate cost savings for insurers. California is considering new rules that would require them to pass their discounts on to consumers.

By

Kristen Hwang

• August 28, 2024

A photo collage illustration in a orange and blue tone showing a credit score meter and half of a round pill container surrounded by pills and money signs.

Health

Millions of Californians have medical debt. It wouldn’t hurt your credit under proposed rules

About 4 in 10 Californians are carrying medical debt. Lawmakers are advancing a bill that would prevent that debt from affecting credit scores

By

Ana B. Ibarra

• August 27, 2024