Living through the COVID-19 pandemic has come with a barrage of daily choices that have many of us complaining of a sort of brain freeze. That exhaustion is real, and it’s got a name: “decision fatigue.”
Kaiser Health News
Posted inHealth & Wellness
California inks sweetheart deal with Kaiser Permanente, jeopardizing Medicaid reforms
The backroom deal with politically connected Kaiser Permanente, which infuriated other Medi-Cal health plans, allows the health care giant to continue selecting the enrollees it wants.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
What the federal ‘No Surprises Act’ means in California
The new federal law will provide protection against surprise medical bills for between 6 million and 7 million Californians who are not covered under state law.
Posted inCOVID Today
Pharmacies are turning away immunocompromised patients seeking fourth COVID shot
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quietly changed its guidance to allow an extra shot in certain cases, but some pharmacy personnel are confused about who is eligible.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Vaccine wars ignite in California as lawmakers seek stronger laws
Anti-vaccination activists say California’s Democratic lawmakers are helping strengthen their movement nationally by pushing for tougher vaccine requirements — without exemptions for religious or personal beliefs. But a new pro-vaccine lobbying force is vowing to fight back.
Posted inEvents, Health & Wellness
Families complain as states require COVID testing for nursing home visits
Relatives say it is important they be allowed to go into nursing homes because staff shortages are affecting care. And many are still upset about lengthy separations from loved ones during lockdowns earlier in the pandemic.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Clinics say California’s new Medicaid drug program will force them to cut services
On Jan. 1, California started buying prescription drugs for its nearly 14 million Medicaid enrollees, a responsibility that had primarily been held by managed-care insurance plans. State officials estimate California will save hundreds of millions of dollars by flexing its purchasing power, but some health clinics expect to lose money.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
California ballot will be heavy on health care
In the Nov. 8 general election, California voters will consider overturning the state’s flavored tobacco ban and hiking medical malpractice awards. Other proposals to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms, target dialysis clinics and boost public health funding could also be on the ballot, along with a plan to limit business and school closures during public health emergencies.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
With sexually transmitted infections off the charts, California pushes at-home tests
A new law makes California the first state to require that health insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover home STI tests. But some details still need to be worked out.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Pandemic poses short- and long-term risks to babies, especially boys
A mother’s immune response to COVID-19 can be a greater danger to the fetus than the virus itself.