Pediatric health providers warn that federal and state healthcare cuts could put more than 21,000 Santa Cruz County residents at risk of losing Medi-Cal by 2028. Currently, 41.9% of local residents ages 0 to 20 are enrolled in Medi-Cal, making stable coverage critical for children and families. Here, Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah and Nadia Al-Lami, pediatric medical director for Santa Cruz Community Health, insist that protecting children’s health means protecting the safety-net system they depend on. They advocate voting yes on Measure E and no on Proposition 44. They also offer valuable tips for those who fear losing health services.
Nadia Al-Lami
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Cannabis lounges pose a risk to the health of Santa Cruz County youth — the board of supervisors should vote no
We should be concerned about cannabis lounges, writes Nadia Al-Lami, a director of adolescent health in Santa Cruz County who has witnessed the harmful effects of high-potency cannabis on youth, including increased risk of psychosis. On Tuesday, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is due to consider allowing on-site cannabis consumption lounges, which Al-Lami believes would increase the visibility and accessibility of these products, disproportionately affecting vulnerable teens and communities. She urges the board to reject this proposal and implement stronger regulations to protect our youth.
