Two Democratic Lawmakers Work To Bring Universal Health Care To California
In Hawaii, lobbyists push back against part of a bill that would cover fertility treatments for some LGBT couples. Meanwhile, California, Arizona and Colorado legislatures consider other measures that would impact the health or safety of residents.
Sacramento Bee:
Single-Payer Health Care Up For Debate In California
While Republicans in Washington are seeking to resurrect their plan to dismantle Obamacare and replace it with a market-based approach, a pair of Democratic California lawmakers are plotting to go in the opposite direction. Lara, of Bell Gardens, and Sen. Toni Atkins of San Diego, with backing from National Nurses United and the Bernie Sanders wing of the Democratic Party, are working to create a universal, government-run health care system. (Hart, 4/21)
The Associated Press:
Health Care Lobby Pushes Back On Hawaii LGBT Fertility Bill
Health care lobbyists in Hawaii are pushing lawmakers to kill part of a bill that would expand access to fertility treatments to same-sex couples who want to have a child. They're saying requiring insurers to cover fertility treatments for gestational carriers that male couples rely on could lead to legal problems. (Bussewitz, 4/20)
KQED:
Another Year, Another Effort To Expand Disability Benefits For Federal Firefighters
Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) has introduced legislation that would make it easier for tens of thousands of federal firefighters, many of them in California, to get disability benefits. Firefighters for the federal departments of Defense, Interior, and Agriculture have to prove exactly what job-related experience made them sick to get coverage from the federal government. (Goldberg, 4/20)
Arizona Republic:
Lawmakers Approve Arizona's First Texting While Driving Ban
Arizona lawmakers on Thursday approved the state's first ban on texting while driving, limiting it to beginning drivers for the first six months they have a driver's license. The vote came after Sen. Karen Fann, R-Prescott, pledged to hesitant lawmakers that this was not the start of a path to a universal texting ban. (Pitzl, 4/20)
The Cannabist:
Amended Colorado PTSD Medical Marijuana Bill Advances To House Vote
Colorado doctors should be allowed to recommend medical marijuana in treating PTSD symptoms of adults, but there should be additional guardrails when it comes to children, state lawmakers decided Thursday. An amended Senate Bill 17, which would add post-traumatic stress disorder to Colorado’s list of qualifying conditions for medical marijuana, passed a second reading Thursday in the state House. (Wallace, 4/20)
