Rachel Bluth

Rachel Bluth was a correspondent for KFF Health News until February 2023.

@RachelHBluth

California Explores Private Insurance for Immigrants Lacking Legal Status. But Is It Affordable?

KFF Health News Original

Nearly half a million Californians without legal residency make too much to qualify for Medicaid yet they can’t afford to buy coverage. A state lawmaker is proposing to open up the state’s health insurance exchange as a first step to providing them affordable insurance.

California Senate’s New Health Chair to Prioritize Mental Health and Homelessness

KFF Health News Original

California state Sen. Susan Talamantes Eggman of Stockton has been appointed chair of the Senate’s influential health committee. A licensed social worker, Eggman said she will make mental health care and homelessness front-burner issues.

Sueño alterado y nervios de punta: la contaminación acústica afecta la mente y el cuerpo

KFF Health News Original

Décadas de investigación vinculan la contaminación acústica no solo con la interrupción del sueño, sino también con una serie de afecciones crónicas, como enfermedades cardíacas, deterioro cognitivo, depresión y ansiedad.

Lost Sleep and Jangled Nerves: The Rising Onslaught of Noise Harms Mind and Body

KFF Health News Original

Noise pollution is a growing problem that isn’t confined to the ears: It can cause harm throughout the body. California is taking baby steps to address the increasing din from traffic and illegally modified cars, but public health experts urge lawmakers to act more boldly.

Pacientes de California temen consecuencias de nueva propuesta electoral sobre clínicas de diálisis

KFF Health News Original

ELK GROVE, California – Toni Sherwin está ansiosa por someterse al procedimiento que reubicará su punto de diálisis de su pecho a su brazo, que será más fácil de mantener seco. Desde que empezó la diálisis en febrero —como parte del tratamiento contra un cáncer de sangre— se ha lavado el pelo en el fregadero […]

California Patients Fear Fallout From Third Dialysis Ballot Measure

KFF Health News Original

Californians are facing the third statewide dialysis initiative in five years. The dialysis industry is spending tens of millions of dollars to defeat Proposition 29 and is running ads saying the measure would force clinics to close — a message that appears to be resonating with patients.

Labor Tries City-by-City Push in California for $25 Minimum Wage at Private Medical Facilities

KFF Health News Original

Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West is testing the waters on a $25 minimum wage for support staff at health care facilities in Southern California. Opposition from hospitals and health facilities is driving an expensive battle.

Opponents of California’s Abortion Rights Measure Mislead on Expense to Taxpayers

KFF Health News Original

California Together, which opposes Proposition 1, warns that taxpayers will pay millions more if the abortion rights constitutional amendment passes because it would attract women from out of state. We take a closer look.

In California, Abortion Could Become a Constitutional Right. So Could Birth Control.

KFF Health News Original

Proposition 1, the constitutional amendment that would enshrine abortion in California’s constitution, would also lock in a right that has gotten less attention: the right to “choose or refuse” contraception.

Medi-Cal Will Cover Doulas at More Than Twice California’s Initial Proposed Rate

KFF Health News Original

Under a budget passed by California lawmakers, the state will pay nonmedical workers who assist in pregnancy and labor up to $1,154 per birth through Medi-Cal, which is up significantly from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s initial offer of $450. Though it’s more than what most other states pay, many doulas say it falls short of the $3,600 they sought.

Politics and Pandemic Fatigue Doom California’s Covid Vaccine Mandates

KFF Health News Original

Even in deep-blue California, Democratic lawmakers pulled their proposed covid vaccine requirements before they had a vote. The lawmakers blamed the ebbs and flows of the coronavirus, the public’s short attention span, and opposition from public safety unions.

Despite Losing Federal Money, California Is Still Testing Uninsured Residents for Covid — For Now

KFF Health News Original

Federal funding that paid for covid testing, treatment, and vaccines for uninsured people has run out. While some states struggle to make up the difference, California is relying on other state and local programs to continue free testing.

Doctors Trying to Prescribe Abortion Pills Across State Lines Stymied by Legislation

KFF Health News Original

Some doctors are getting licensed in multiple states so they can use telemedicine and mail-order pharmacies to provide medication abortions to more women. At the same time, states are cracking down on telemedicine abortions, blunting the efforts of out-of-state doctors.

Want Vulnerable Californians to Have Healthier Pregnancies? Doulas Say the State Must Pay Up.

KFF Health News Original

California was supposed to start paying doulas this year to help Medicaid enrollees have healthy pregnancies. But the benefit has been delayed because doulas feel lowballed by the state’s proposed reimbursement rate, which is below what most other states pay.

California Governor’s Big Promises on Drug Prices Are Slow to Materialize

KFF Health News Original

Gov. Gavin Newsom has launched several initiatives to cut rising drug prices, but the savings haven’t been as monumental as he promised. And his plan to have California make its own generic drugs hasn’t gotten off the ground.