Health CareSacramento County Moving To Red Tier, Paving Way For Theaters, Indoor Dining, More To ReopenMarch 16, 2021 | Kris Hooks | Chris HaganThis is the first time Sacramento has been out of the most-restrictive purple tier under the state's regional stay-at-home order since Nov. 10. San Joaquin and Yuba counties were also expected to move into the red tier, but did not. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Health CareSevere Obesity Now Qualifies Californians For A COVID-19 Vaccine. Will It Mean More Access For Communities Of Color?March 12, 2021 | Sammy CaiolaExperts say new guidelines allowing severely obese people to get the COVID-19 vaccine will vastly expand eligibility in California, particularly in communities of color.
Health CareSome Medically-Vulnerable Californians Will Be Vaccine-Eligible Monday, But Barriers RemainMarch 11, 2021 | Sammy CaiolaSome of California’s most medically vulnerable residents become eligible for vaccine appointments starting March 15, but physicians say it’ll be a challenge to get the vaccine to everyone.
Health CareSacramento City, County To Receive Combined $420 Million In Federal Stimulus FundingMarch 11, 2021 | Kris HooksThe state of California is expected to receive $26 billion in aid, while its local governments will get a combined $16.6 billion. Those distributions are based on formulas that take into account population and socio-economic issues.
Health CareOne School District’s Struggle Over Public Health, Parents And PoliticsMarch 4, 2021California has 1,037 public school districts, each empowered to make its own decision about reopening schools during the covid-19 pandemic. Politics and public health are at war in many districts, including this one.
State GovernmentCalifornia Will Soon Tie Reopening To Vaccination Equity Rates, Dedicate 40% Of Doses To Low-Income CommunitiesMarch 3, 2021 | Nicole Nixon | Kris HooksTop administration officials say they will dedicate 40% of future vaccine doses to residents in those places, because those ZIP codes have shouldered that same percentage of the state’s COVID-19 cases and deaths.
Health CareNew California Law Makes It Easier to Get Care for Mental Health and Substance AbuseFebruary 28, 2021New California law requires state-regulated commercial health plans to use nationally recognized clinical standards established by nonprofit associations of clinical specialists to determine which mental health and addiction treatments they’ll cover.
State GovernmentAs Blue Shield Takes Control Of California Vaccine Rollout, Some Counties Worry About DistributionFebruary 26, 2021 | Rich Ibarra | Scott Rodd | Kris HooksCalifornia’s vaccination goals depend on two things: vaccine supply and Blue Shield’s handling of distribution logistics. But the latter is already facing scrutiny from county health officials worried about delays in the system. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Health CareNevada Seeks To Address ‘Equity Crisis’ In COVID-19 Vaccine AccessFebruary 23, 2021 | Bert JohnsonState data shows early vaccine rollout has disproportionately gone to white Nevadans. But public health officials hope a new coalition will help ensure more equitable access moving forward. Listen /Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
State GovernmentCalifornia Aims To Address The ‘Urgent’ Needs Of Older Residents. But Will Its Plan Work?February 20, 2021Kim McCoy Wade, director of California’s Department of Aging, talked to California Healthline about how the pandemic has crystallized the pressing need to address California’s rapidly aging population.
