Medi-Cal

Health

Newsom’s prescription plan pits state against Medi-Cal providers

Is the governor's plan to streamline prescription drug buying a smart way to save the state millions? Maybe, but it will come at the expense of nonprofits that say they're using that money to boost services for poorer patients. 

By Elizabeth Aguilera • October 8, 2019

Economy

‘Sicker than the rest of us’ — More docs making house calls to people without houses

Homeless people who live outdoors die, on average, three decades earlier. In California locales, "street medicine" teams are trying to improve those odds.

By Matt Tinoco, KPCC • September 27, 2019

WhatMatters

Newsom signs vaccination bills, Becerra doesn’t sue, facial recognition, beach access, and our two states

Newsom signs vaccination bill. Becerra skips Google antitrust investigation. Bill on police use of facial-recognition technology is watered down.

By Dan Morain • September 10, 2019

Health

CA Democrats try again to provide health care to needy undocumented seniors

The bill would expand Medi-Cal to low-income undocumented immigrants age 65 and older starting next July — and would inch California closer to covering all immigrants in the state illegally.

By Elizabeth Aguilera • September 9, 2019

Health

Paging more doctors: California’s worsening physician shortage

California is facing a growing shortage of primary care physicians, one that is already afflicting rural areas and low-income inner city areas, and is forecasted to impact millions of people within ten years. Not enough newly minted doctors are going into primary care, and a third of the doctors in the state are over 55 and looking to retire soon.

By Elizabeth Aguilera • August 16, 2019

California Divide

As California strikes back, what does President Trump’s latest immigration crackdown mean for the state?

New Trump administration rules would deny green cards to immigrants on public assistance. It's an idea California knows well.

By Ben Christopher and Jackie Botts • August 12, 2019

Newsletters

Trump’s take on California’s budget, Republican prospects and broccoli donuts

Trump campaign strategist weighs in on California health care plans. Presidential candidates duck homeless issue. Charter schools report released.

By Dan Morain • June 11, 2019

Health

California poised to go further than any state to insure the undocumented—too pricey, or about time?

A clock is ticking: The state is required to adopt a budget this month, and the Democrats who control Sacramento are divided between two options. Both inch the state closer to universal health care coverage, although neither proposes to offer health care to all low-income immigrants. They’ve all agreed to extend coverage to young adults through age 25, and the Senate would include undocumented seniors, too.

By Elizabeth Aguilera • June 5, 2019

Capitol

5 takeaways from Newsom’s revised budget plan

Buoyed by California’s strong economy, Gov. Gavin Newsom sent state lawmakers a revised budget on Thursday that boosts his already-hefty January proposal to $213.6 billion. Ka-ching! Public schools will reap most of the gains if the Democratic-controlled Legislature rolls with him. Newsom also upped his ante on the housing crisis with a proposed $1 billion […]

By Judy Lin • May 9, 2019

Capitol

When the next recession hits, will California be able to count on Washington?

California isn’t as prepared as it may seem for the next recession. And when the next pullback hits, the state may have to fight off red ink without a historically crucial ally: Washington, D.C.

By Judy Lin • May 2, 2019