Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
San Francisco Chronicle: Bill Sought To Shore Up Newsom's Abortion Access Plan; He Vetoed It
Newsom's explanation for the veto did not satisfy leading abortion rights groups, including the Guttmacher Institute and Reproductive Freedom for All. (Palmer, 9/22)
The Sacramento Bee: Best US States For Senior Healthcare? CA Ranked In Top 10
California was among one of the best states for senior healthcare in the United States, with high scores for prescription plans, coverage and more. (Syrai Olsen, 9/18)
Imperial Valley Press Online: New Imperial County PACE Center Expands All-Inclusive Elder Care To Help Seniors Age At Home
PACE acts as both the healthcare provider and the insurance entity 24/7, providing fully integrated care. While it serves over 30,000 seniors across California, the Imperial County location is the first of its kind for local residents. (Bojorquez, 9/18)
Lodinews.com: San Joaquin Health Centers Gets $600K To Expand Care
The one-year grant, awarded through the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration’s Health Center Program, runs through July 31, 2027, and covers San Joaquin Health locations in Stockton, French Camp and Manteca, as well as mobile clinic sites and other approved locations. (9/16)
The Orange County Register: Hoag’s Sun Family Campus Means More Beds, More Specialization
The Hoag Hospital Irvine Sun Family Campus will be fully open to patients on Sept. 28. (Le, 9/18)
Monterey Herald: $6 Million Shelter Reconfiguration To Improve Conditions For Families
The decision to reorganize Salinas’ SHARE Center, which serves as a temporary shelter for families and individuals transitioning to longer-term housing after medical emergencies or other crises, will come before the Monterey County Board of Supervisors in October. (Hamilton, 9/21)
The Desert Sun: Palm Springs Hospital Alleges Doctors Misused Funds, Falsified Records
A Desert Regional Medical Center lawsuit alleging a local medical group and its physicians harmed the educational development of graduate medical education residents — and misused resources to benefit themselves — is headed to court in October. (Sasic, 9/18)
The Orange County Register: Blood Donors Offered Free Blood Testing At 3 Inland Empire And Orange County Sites
San Bernardino-based LifeStream Blood Bank has joined with Goodlabs, which offers free preventive health testing to donors. The program launches Sept. 22 at LifeStream’s San Bernardino donor center and Oct. 1 at its Murrieta location. It will start Sept. 29 in Orange County at LifeStream’s Placentia donor center. (Vergara, 9/18)
The Mendocino Voice: Mendocino County’s Healthcare Backup To Medi-Cal May Cut Its Eligibility And Benefits
When Medi-Cal work requirements take effect Jan. 1, the program that’s supposed to catch Mendocino County residents who lose their coverage may narrow its own door on the same day. (Coryell, 9/18)
VC Star: Ventura County Health Summit Focuses On Federal Cuts, Worker Shortages
It’s a hard time for healthcare. H.R. 1, President Trump’s “big beautiful bill,” brings massive cuts to Medi-Cal. Hospitals face nursing and other workforce shortages. Doctors grapple with reductions in reimbursement. (Kisken, 9/20)
KQED: Applying For A Green Card Or A Visa? What To Know About The New Public Charge Rule
Federal officers can now consider whether a green card or visa applicant received unemployment benefits, housing vouchers, Medi-Cal, and even free school lunches. (Cabrera-Lomelí, 9/18)
NBC Los Angeles: Gabriel’s Law: Palmdale Boy Inspires Child Safety Law
Under Gabriel's Law, names after a Southern California boy who died after months of abuse, social workers are required to ensure a child receives appropriate medical care when the child appears to need immediate emergency medical, surgical or other remedial care. It also clarifies that social workers who knowingly falsify or manipulate official records can be held accountable under existing law. (Joeng, 9/21)
CalMatters: Newsom Sides With Industry, Vetoes Bill On Factories Near Homes And Schools
The veto keeps in place a manufacturing exemption Newsom fought for last year, despite a near-disaster evacuation in Orange County. (Reyes-Velarde, 9/21)
Bay Area News Group: California Governor Signs San Jose Lawmaker's 'Jay Leno's Law' Giving Smog-Check Break To Classic 1970s-1980s Cars
When entertainer and classic car collector Jay Leno last year sought smog-check mercy for autos from the late 1970s to early 1980s, the proposal stalled amid opposition from environmental advocates and public health groups. But on Wednesday, Gov. Gavin Newsom went to Leno’s garage and signed a revised, narrower exemption from smog checks. (Woolfolk, 9/16)
CalMatters: California Sues Christian Groups Over Abortion Pill Reversal
An Alameda County judge could decide whether "abortion pill reversal" claims by Christian groups are protected speech or false advertising. (Hwang, 9/21)
CapRadio: Sacramento Pediatrician And Former State Lawmaker Makes His Case To Represent District 6 In Congress
Dr. Richard Pan points to his legislative track record on public health and his willingness to take on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as reasons why voters should elect him in November. (Gonzalez and Garcia, 9/17)
CapRadio: Republican Candidate For Governor Steve Hilton On Why California Needs ‘Common Sense Practical Change’
The Republican entrepreneur is fighting an uphill battle in the reliably Democratic state. But he thinks his “Califordable” and “Califuture” policy priorities can reach voters outside of his party. (Gonzalez, Garcia and Laschinsky, 9/21)
Mother Jones: The California Lawmaker Forcing Big Food To Clean Up Its Act
While DC dithers, Jesse Gabriel has quietly become America’s de facto food safety chief. (Black, 9/22)
KQED: California Regulators Unveil Plan To Ban New Quartz Countertops Amid Rising Worker Deaths
Cal/OSHA’s discussion draft would give fabrication shops nearly six months from the date a final rule goes into effect to phase out their use of artificial stone with more than 1% crystalline silica, which is linked to a deadly lung disease among stonecutters. (Jhabvala Romero, 9/18)
Southern California News Group: Singer-Songwriter Christina Perri Raises Awareness Of APS, Which Causes Miscarriages
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion directing the Department of Health Services and Department of Public Health to spread information on their websites about APS and how to get county patients tested, and to make sure the test is available at county hospitals and clinics. (Scauzillo, 9/17)
CBS News: LA County Reports Highest Number Of West Nile Virus Cases Since 2017
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials say that five people have died from the virus so far this year, and that "almost all [of the patients] have had severe illness." (Fioresi, 9/21)
FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News: Mumps Outbreak Hits San Diego State University Student-Athletes
According to San Diego State University, San Diego County Public Health Services notified the university of three confirmed cases of mumps and two probable cases. The five cases were all connected and contained with a student athletic team, although the specific sport or team was not identified. (Caoile, 9/18)
The Sacramento Bee: Measles Exposure Reported On Amtrak Trains, Buses In CA
The California Department of Public Health in a statement said it is coordinating with state and federal health authorities after being advised that the unvaccinated traveler, who has since been hospitalized, passed through at least six California counties during the voyage. (McGough, 9/18)
San Diego Union-Times: County Reports Persistent Delays In Tuberculosis Reporting At Otay Mesa Detention Center
San Diego County warned doctors at the Otay Mesa Detention Center this week that continued weeks-long delays in reporting suspected tuberculosis cases “may subject health care providers to professional licensing actions.” (Sisson, 9/17)
The Sacramento Bee: Rabies Cases Rising Across California And The Nation
A “nearly 100% fatal” viral disease is prompting federal health warnings as rabies exposures rise across the country. California counties are reporting more rabid bats in 2026. (9/20)
The Sacramento Bee: Pasta Recalled For Listeria Sold At CA Walmart Grocery Stores
On Tuesday, Sept. 15, Gias Foods of New York City recalled select lots of frozen pasta because they have the “potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.” (Rodriguez and Hawkins, 9/16)
The Sacramento Bee: Ice Cream Recalled For Stones Sold In CA Grocery Stores
On Tuesday, Sept. 15, Danone USA recalled select pints of So Delicious Dairy Free ice cream “due to the potential presence of foreign materials,” the FDA aid. (Rodriguez, 9/16)
Victorville Daily Press: Check These Recalled Hand Soaps In California Homes, Schools
Californians are being urged to check hand soap products, made or distributed by Intercon Chemical Co., after the FDA elevated its classification to a Class II recall. The products might be contaminated with bacteria that can cause infections, particularly in people with weakened immune systems. (Ward, 9/16)
San Francisco Examiner: SF Working To Overhaul Its Homelessness-Response System
Group members offered different thoughts: increased shelter options, permanent supportive housing, resources — such as employment help — along with housing. (Gurevich, 9/17)
Southern California News Group: San Bernardino Moves To Stop The Unhoused From Sleeping In Parks; And On Streets And Sidewalks
The updated ordinance provides individuals in an encampment area a 72-hour notice before enforcement action begins. It also bans encampment activity within 500 feet of a college, school, daycare center, or cancer treatment center. (Carreón Jr., 9/21)
The San Diego Union-Tribune: Encinitas To Change Its Homeless Shelter Provider, Opting For National City Venue
The Encinitas City Council plans to sign contract with San Diego Rescue Mission to use its National City facility, instead of continuing to share Buena Creek Navigation Center with Vista. (Henry, 9/21)
Manteca/Ripon Bulletin: More Than 2,000 MUSD Students Likely Dealing With Homelessness
Roughly 1 in every 11 of the nearly 26,000 students enrolled in Manteca Unified schools meet the federal definition of experiencing homelessness every school year. (Wyatt, 9/22)
The Modesto Bee: Addiction Center Will Assemble Low-Cost Homes Near Keyes CA
Faith Home Ranch began near Keyes in 1920 as an orphanage for boys. It now is a residential treatment center for men addicted to drugs and alcohol. (Holland, 9/20)
San Francisco Examiner: Report Finds SF Substance-Use Resources Improve Amid Gaps
As San Francisco officials continue to address the city’s behavioral-health crisis, the latest Treatment on Demand report for fiscal year 2024-25 highlighted areas of improvement in providing easily accessible services and resources while acknowledging the gaps that remain. (Gurevich, 9/22)
Southern California News Group: Blankets Of Love South Bay Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Blankets of Love South Bay was founded in 2016 after Cyndi Strand lost her son to a drug overdose. Part of Strand’s goal is to spread awareness that there is not one specific way substance abuse looks, according to BOL’s website, but it can affect any family anywhere. (Evains, 9/17)
The San Diego Union-Tribune: Encinitas School District Settles Lawsuit Over Gender Identity Lesson
The district is among several that changed its policies to allow parents to opt out of instruction for religious reasons, after a Supreme Court decision last year. (Taketa, 9/18)
Fresno Bee: Family Blames Fresno County Jail Death On ‘Subpar’ Mental Health Care
The family of a Fresno County inmate who was found hanging days after he was arrested says the county’s medical and corrections staffers failed to provide the care the 22-year-old needed and that is required under the Constitution. (Miller, 9/21)
San Francisco Examiner: New Office Would Coordinate SF Response To Food Insecurity
The ordinance would also require the city to prepare a report every five years assessing food insecurity among residents, while looking at how city departments are developing and maintaining the programs and resources that provide critical access to vulnerable populations. (Salazar, 9/22)
The Sacramento Bee: Placerville Ex-Postal Worker Jailed For Tampering With Mail
Officials said Carrie Wallace, 48, of Fort Bragg, used her position as a postal employee to access and steal packages containing prescription medication and vape products. She intentionally targeted packages sent by the Department of Veterans Affairs because they generally contained narcotic medications. (Buss, 9/21)
Southern California News Group: Murrieta Rolls Out New Safety Rules For E-Bikes
Helmets will be mandatory for anyone under 18, modifying the speeds of bikes to go over 28 mph is prohibited, lights will be required after sunset, e-bike drivers must keep in check with traffic laws, passengers are restricted to seats on the bikes, and underaged drivers can have their bikes temporarily impounded. (Hart, 9/21)
CNN: How A String Of Rare Childhood Cancer Cases Shook A California Community
Residents of Ladera Ranch have tallied cancer cases and raised concerns about pesticides in parks and playing fields. Scientists say proving a cause is complicated. (Jones, 9/20)
