Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned the Roe v. Wade decision, here are key takeaways of what to expect for abortion in California. They include the politics, more legislation — including Gov. Gavin Newsom signing a bill Friday to protect California abortion providers from civil liability amid possible influx of out-of-state patients.
Kristen Hwang / CalMatters
Posted inHealth & Wellness
‘Like torture’: For Californians with special needs, getting to see a dentist can take years
Tens of thousands of Californians with disabilities require special accommodations for dental care, but only 14 centers in the state can treat them.
Posted inCOVID Today
Use of outdated data apparently leads CDC to misjudge California’s current COVID risks
The CDC said half of Californians live in high-risk counties. But the agency apparently relied on outdated numbers of COVID infections and patients. Newer data indicates only 19 counties are in the CDC’s riskiest category, where universal masking is advised.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Did California get its money’s worth from $1.7 billion COVID test contract?
The Valencia lab, a public-private venture between the state and PerkinElmer, processed only 1 to 8% of all Californians’ COVID tests in the first 10 months of the contract. And the lab was riddled with dozens of problems, according to an inspection report.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Supply chain woes trigger shortages of crucial medical devices
Eying the offshore traffic jams at ports and supply chain problems, California hospitals report delays and shortages in medical supplies. Some patients are forced to reuse medical tubes.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Hospitals brace for strikes as California workers protest staff shortages
Long-simmering disputes with unions over staffing are reaching crisis points. Almost a third of California hospitals report insufficient numbers of critical workers, including nurses, technicians and janitors.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
California vaccine mandate: Most health care workers are complying, hospitals say
As the state’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate kicks in Thursday, several large hospital systems say 90% or more of their employees are vaccinated. But they don’t have to provide data to the state unless asked.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Nurse shortages in California reaching crisis point
COVID-19 burnout is driving many nurses to quit, and hospital administrators say the state’s new vaccine mandate is compounding the shortage, too.