Bernard J. Wolfson

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@bjwolfson

California Businesses Go From Simmer to Boil Over Newsom’s Fine Dining

KFF Health News Original

Small-business owners struggling to remain afloat are increasingly defying new shutdown orders, in some cases pointing to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s French Laundry dinner as a reason not to comply.

¿Estás internado? Todavía puedes votar en gran parte del país

KFF Health News Original

Al menos 38 estados permiten la votación de emergencia por razones médicas, según la Conferencia Nacional de Legislaturas Estatales. Pero las prácticas varían.

LA County Authorities Cautious Despite Declining COVID Numbers

KFF Health News Original

The county, a hotbed of coronavirus infection in California, has seen a steady reduction in positive test results, new cases, hospitalizations and deaths over the past few weeks. But officials are concerned about public behavior over the Labor Day holiday weekend and wary of relaxing strictures too soon.

Wildfires Provide Another Reason to Mask Up

KFF Health News Original

As the long U.S. fire season gets underway, it’s even more important for Western residents to have a good face mask. Unfortunately, most of the masks we’re wearing for COVID-19 aren’t great for smoke.

Los incendios forestales son otra razón para usar máscaras

KFF Health News Original

El humo de más de 300 incendios forestales en California está asfixiando a mucha gente en el centro y norte del estado y expandiendo sustancias tóxicas en el aire.

La pandemia interrumpe una mina de oro: las cirugías de reemplazo articular

KFF Health News Original

Las pérdidas de ingresos en hospitales y centros de cirugía ambulatoria pueden haber superado los $5,000 millones sólo por las cancelaciones de los reemplazos de rodilla y cadera.

Pandemic Hampers Reopening of Joint Replacement Gold Mine

KFF Health News Original

The COVID-19 pandemic brought knee and hip replacements to a virtual halt because they aren’t usually considered emergency procedures. But they are profitable, and hospital systems are now counting on the surgeries to help restore their financial health.

Covered California Announces Record-Low Rate Hike for 2021

KFF Health News Original

Health plans offered through Covered California, the health insurance exchange, will increase premiums by a statewide average of 0.6% next year. Health insurers reported strong profits in the second quarter of 2020 as their expenses plunged because of fewer surgeries and patient visits for non-COVID treatment.

Covered California anuncia una baja récord en las primas para 2021

KFF Health News Original

Covered California brinda cobertura a aproximadamente 1.5 millones de californianos que compran su propio seguro. Alrededor del 90% de ellos reciben asistencia financiera.

Don’t Count on Lower Premiums Despite Pandemic-Driven Boon for Insurers

KFF Health News Original

Early in the pandemic, insurers expected the costs of treating COVID-19 would vastly increase medical spending. Instead, non-COVID care has plummeted and insurers have pocketed the result. Still, few industry observers are predicting broad-based premium cuts in 2021, though some health plans have proposed lowering their rates.

You Can See Friends and Relatives During the Pandemic Surge — But Do It Carefully

KFF Health News Original

Even as most U.S. states and authorities reimpose many of the restrictions they had prematurely lifted, public health experts say you can still have a safe social life — just not the one you were used to before the pandemic hit.

Puedes ver a amigos y familiares durante la pandemia, pero sigue estas reglas

KFF Health News Original

Puedes expandir tu burbuja social más allá de la casa, y hasta abrazar a un ser querido, si prestas atención a las conocidas pautas de salud y, además, tomas precauciones adicionales.