Category: Public Health

New Budget Boosts Health Coverage For Low-Income Californians

California lawmakers spent big on Medi-Cal in the 2019-20 state budget, voting to cover more older residents and people with disabilities, restore benefits cut during the recession and open the program to eligible young adults who are in the country illegally. 

Non-English Speakers Face Health Setback If Trump Loosens Language Rules

A rule proposed by the Trump administration would leave patients with limited English proficiency with fewer guarantees of a written notice that free translation services are available. It also would no longer require directions on how patients can report discrimination they experience in a medical setting.

Meth In The Morning, Heroin At Night: Inside The Seesaw Struggle of Dual Addiction

Many users now mix opioids with stimulants like meth and cocaine — and researchers believe opioids kicked off this new stimulant wave.

Vaccine Drama On Display In California’s Capitol

Hundreds of protesters descended on the state Capitol on Thursday, warning against government tyranny and corporate greed. Their target: not taxes, not high-tech surveillance, but a bill that would determine which kids must get their routine shots.

Legal Weed’s A Growing Danger To Dogs, So Keep Your Canine Out Of Your Cannabis

As more states legalize recreational and medical marijuana, dogs are accidentally ingesting the drug and becoming highly intoxicated.

Stem Cell Company Persuades Employers To Steer Workers Toward Controversial Therapy

Regenexx, which runs a string of clinics, says stem cell injections can save employers a lot of money, but critics say there’s no proof.

California Vaccine Bill Amended To Appease Governor

In the wake of concerns from Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Medical Board of California, a state senator on Tuesday unveiled significant amendments to his bill to tighten vaccine requirements. A hearing on the measure is likely to draw hundreds of people to the state Capitol on Thursday.

A Proposal To Make It Harder For Kids To Skip Vaccines Gives Powerful Voices Pause

California lawmakers are debating whether to tighten the rules on childhood vaccinations and give the ultimate say to state public health officials. But questions are emerging from unexpected quarters: the state medical board and Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

KHN’s ‘What The Health’: Who Will Pay To Fix Problem Of Surprise Medical Bills?

Lawmakers and patients want to eliminate “surprise” out-of-network medical bills. Hospitals, doctors and insurers say they want to eliminate them, too, but their opposition to one another’s proposals could complicate legislative efforts. Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico and Kimberly Leonard of the Washington Examiner join KHN’s Julie Rovner to discuss this, plus the latest in news about reproductive health and health care sharing ministries.

Why So Many Older Americans Rate Their Health As Good Or Even Excellent

As people advance in age, the expectations for what constitutes good health change. People focus on positive emotions and satisfaction with life, while physical ailments play a less important role.