public health

Anthony Delio, 36, falls asleep standing up in an alley after smoking fentanyl in Los Angeles on Aug. 23, 2022. Photo by Jae C. Hong, AP Photo

WhatMatters

Lawmakers plan to focus on California fentanyl crisis

What could have been a dramatic showdown Thursday, orchestrated by Republican legislators demanding action on bills addressing California’s fentanyl crisis, was ultimately avoided with a deal for a special hearing next week. Let’s back up a moment: In March, the chairperson of the Assembly public safety committee, Los Angeles Democrat Reggie Jones-Sawyer, announced that the […]

By

Lynn La

• April 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

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

A bill to phase out all tobacco sales in California has been shelved, and anti-tobacco groups won't say why they didn't offer support. The bill was amended to focus on enforcing an existing ban on flavored tobacco.

By

Alexei Koseff

• April 13, 2023

Artesia Councilmember Ali Sajad Taj, president of Cal Cities, speaks during a press conference at the state Capitol in Sacramento on April 12, 2023. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters

WhatMatters

California cities to state: Pay up on homeless crisis

From CalMatters’ homelessness policy reporter Marisa Kendall: California cities want more money to tackle homelessness. That was the main takeaway from a rally Wednesday where about 100 city officials made a big ask of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration and the Legislature: They want $3 billion a year in guaranteed homelessness funding from the state. That […]

By

Lynn La

• April 13, 2023

Lawmakers on the Assembly Floor at the Capitol on March 27, 2023. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

WhatMatters

California Legislature tackles food chemicals, facial recognition, transgender kids and more

The Legislature is back this week from spring recess and already things are getting busy. CalMatters’ Julie Cart reports that a bill that would outlaw five chemicals in food products passed the Assembly health committee Tuesday after a robust debate — and a little snacking. The so-called Skittles Bill prompted both a freewheeling discussion of […]

By

Lynn La

• April 12, 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.

The state ended masking and vaccination requirements, including in high-risk settings such as health care facilities. Some patients with chronic illnesses say they may avoid treatment rather than risk contracting COVID-19.

By

Kristen Hwang

• April 11, 2023

Democratic Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi argues in favor of Gov. Newsom's oil profit penalty plan at the Capitol on March 27, 2023. If passed, the bill would impose a penalty on oil companies for high gas prices. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

WhatMatters

California lawmakers OK Newsom plan that could someday cap oil industry profits

From CalMatters’ politics reporter Alexei Koseff: The California Assembly handed Gov. Gavin Newsom a long-awaited win on Monday, approving his revised proposal to punish alleged price gouging by oil companies and sending the measure to his desk for a signature, nearly six months after he first called on state lawmakers to take action on record […]

By

Lynn La

• March 28, 2023

Meredith Reyes, a lab technician, labels COVID-19 test swabs before processing at the Sonoma County Department of Public Health in Santa Rosa. California counties are fighting for more state health funds. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters

Commentary

California reinvested in public health. Newsom put it back on the chopping block

As the emergency declaration for COVID-19 expired, local public health officials are criticizing Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposed budget cuts to a workforce program attempting to rebuild a system weakened by years of disinvestment.

By

Guest Commentary

• March 1, 2023

Eddie Daniels administers rapid COVID-19 tests at Greater St. Paul Church in downtown Oakland on Jan. 4, 2022. Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Coronavirus

COVID disparities grow as California ends state of emergency

As public health funding winds down, gaps in vaccination rates are increasing. Particularly for booster doses, the gap among racial and ethnic groups is widening significantly.

By

Kristen Hwang

• February 28, 2023

Inside the Newsroom

CalMatters Reporter Kristen Hwang Awarded in Excellence in Health Care Journalism Contest

The award marks the first win for CalMatters in awards given by the Association for Health Care Journalists.

By

Sonya Quick

• February 27, 2023

Businesses in downtown Roseville closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. May 14, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

Commentary

COVID-19 effects on California will linger for years

Gov. Gavin Newsom will soon lift the state of emergency he declared nearly three years ago due to COVID-19, but the negative effects will linger on for many years.

By

Dan Walters

• February 14, 2023

Public Health