Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Mental Health Bill Passed In California Would Cover Many More Conditions
NPR: California Poised To Strengthen Mental Health Insurance Laws
There are already federal and state laws on the books requiring insurance companies to cover mental health treatments, just as it does medical treatments and procedures such as chemotherapy or a cesarean section. But many patient advocates say those laws haven't gone far enough because they permit insurance companies to pay for care only after the mental illness has reached a late-stage crisis, or let companies deny coverage outright. So states, including New York and Illinois, have been strengthening their regulation and enforcement. This week, California's legislature passed one of the nation's strictest mental health parity bills. It aims to increase mental health insurance coverage to include far more conditions — including, notably, addiction — as well as redefining the criteria for insurance denials. (Noguchi, 9/1)
WBUR: California Poised To Strengthen Mental Health Insurance Laws
This week, California's legislature passed one of the nation's strictest mental health parity bills. It aims to increase mental health insurance coverage to include far more conditions — including, notably, addiction — as well as redefining the criteria for insurance denials. (Noguchi, 9/2)
In other health news from California —
Modern Healthcare: California PPE Bills Require Providers To Create Stockpiles For Workers
California's Legislature passed two bills Monday night that would require healthcare providers to create stockpiles of personal protective equipment for their workers. The bills, SB 275 and AB 2537, now go to Gov. Gavin Newsom, who will need to sign or veto them by Sept. 30. (Christ, 9/1)
USA Today: 'Makes No Sense': California Faces Backlash Over Its New Tiered System For Reopening Businesses Amid COVID-19
As it became the first state to cross the sad milestone of 700,000 cases of COVID-19, California has embarked on a new tiered plan for reopening businesses that has some crying foul. Critics say the system doesn't take into account that some businesses can operate safely even in counties with relatively high numbers of COVID-cases. And it hits some businesses harder than others, even when it appears they perform similar services. (Woodyard, 9/1)
San Francisco Chronicle: Smoke Could Linger Over Bay Area For Months, Even After Fires Are Contained
The Bay Area’s air-quality woes are almost certain to continue through the weekend, as a ridge of high pressure brings a heat wave and low winds. But the ongoing wildfires mean that smoke could be here for months, even as the fires are contained — and it’s just the beginning of wildfire season. A Spare the Air Alert, which bans wood burning, has been extended through Thursday in the Bay Area, adding to a string of alerts issued every day since Aug. 14. It is the longest stretch ever, according to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. (Echeverria, 9/2)
Los Angeles Times: California Lawmaker Nurses Infant Between Debates After Being Denied Remote Voting
California lawmakers expressed outrage Tuesday that a Bay Area lawmaker was forced to soothe her fussy newborn on the floor of the state Assembly after the new mom’s request to vote remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic was denied. Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) gave birth to her daughter on July 26 and was on maternity leave as the Legislature was wrapping up its work for the year before Monday’s constitutional deadline. But with critical votes pending on the final day, Wicks requested permission on Friday to vote remotely due to the risk posed by COVID-19 if she returned. (Gutierrez, 9/1)
