By  Suzanne Potter, California News Service

Suzanne Potter

January 9,2024 (Sacramento) -- Starting January 1st, California became the first state to cover health care for all income-eligible people regardless of their age or immigration status. 

By Suzanne Potter, California News Service

December 31, 2023 (Sacramento)--People on Medicare who want to see a therapist often wait up to six months for an appointment, but relief is on the way.

Starting Jan. 1, licensed marriage and family therapists will be able to accept Medicare insurance.

December 18, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Uncle Sam wants you to help stop insurers' bogus Medicare Advantage sales tactics  (NPR)
• After the Dobbs decision, birth rates are up in states with abortion ban states (NPR)
• Ahead of the holidays flu-like illnesses slightly increase  (KPBS)
• Uptick in mpox cases raises concerns in San Diego County  (KPBS)
• FDA expands cantaloupe recall after salmonella infections double in a week  (CBS 8)
• Mexico closes cantaloupe plant temporarily amid deadly salmonella outbreak (Reuters)
• Researchers return to Alzheimer's vaccines, buoyed by recent drug success (Reuters)
• In death, one cancer patient helps to erase millions in medical debt  (AP)

SCIENCE AND TECH

• IBM, EU and Disney pull ads from Elon Musk's X as concerns about antisemitism fuel backlash (AP)
• Judge says evidence shows Tesla and Elon Musk knew about flawed autopilot system  (NPR)
• Jury decides Google's Android app store benefits from anticompetitive barriers  (NPR)
• UC San Diego Climate change panel points to progress (KPBS)
• Companies say they're closing in on nuclear fusion as an energy source  (NPR)
• USDA's plant hardiness zone map shows half the country has shifted  (NPR)
• Forest Service plans carbon dioxide storage on federal lands 
• Consumer Reports is adapting its automobile testing to include EVs (NPR)

For excerpts and links to full stories,  click  “read more” and scroll down.

By David R. Shorey, East County Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies

Photo courtesy USDOJ

December 7, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- There's no denying the urgency of addressing the opioid and fentanyl epidemic, which has claimed the lives of countless Americans. In the shadows of this crisis, another equally destructive menace is still lurking: methamphetamine abuse. We must continue to recognize that the methamphetamine crisis is very much alive, and we can't allow our focus on opioids to divert our attention from this problem that continues to claim lives and ruin communities.

By Suzanne Potter, California News Service

December  6, 2023 (Sacramento) -- Advocates for affordable health care are speaking out to remind people what is at stake if the Affordable Care Act is repealed in the wake of recent statements by former President Donald Trump.

By Fernanda Lopez Halvorson, County of San Diego Communications Office

November 28, 2023 (San Diego)-- The Tuberculosis Program in the Public Health Services (PHS) department of the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency is working in close collaboration with Father Joe’s Villages, and the San Diego Housing Commission to notify residents, employees, contractors, and volunteers potentially exposed to tuberculosis (TB) at the Golden Hall shelter at 1101 First Ave. in San Diego.

By Cristina Johnson

November 18, 2023 (San Diego) -- The U.S. armed forces employed asbestos-containing products throughout much of the 20th century. All five military branches used frequently contaminated products and as a consequence, many service members were exposed to asbestos while defending our nation. Today, as these brave men and women transition into civilian life after their service, they risk developing life-altering diseases that may be linked to their military years. Asbestos exposure remains a compelling concern for all veterans but remains a critical issue among those who served in the Navy.

Once praised for its fire-resistant and insulating properties, asbestos was widely used in naval construction during the last century. It was in every compartment on naval ships, and nobody thought about asbestos being a potent threat when its microscopic fibers were released into the air and inhaled.

Annual report highlights the public agency’s accomplishments

Photo, left to right:  Christian Wallis, CEO, Michael Emerson, Board Treasurer, Bob Ayres, Board Vice President, Gloria Chadwick, Board President, Virgina Hall, Board Secretary, Randy Lenac, Board Member

East County News Service

November 10, 2023 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) was recently recognized by the Association of California Healthcare Districts as its 2023 Healthcare District of the Year. 

Source: California Attorney General’s office

Image: CC via Bing

November 1, 2023 (Sacramento) -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta, leading a multistate coalition of 25 attorneys general, today submitted a letter to urge the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to strengthen guidance and provide clear warning labels regarding incorrect pulse oximeter readings for patients of color.

Source: U.S. .Food and Drug Administration

Photo:  Public domain image via Bing

October 31,2023 (Washington D.C.)  --The U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) is warning consumers not to purchase and to immediately stop using 26 over-the-counter eye drop products sold at major retailers and online, due to the potential risk of eye infections that could result in partial vision loss or blindness. Patients who have signs or symptoms of an eye infection after using these products should talk to their health care provider or seek medical care immediately. These products are marketed under the following brands:

• CVS Health
• Leader (Cardinal Health)
• Rugby (Cardinal Health)
• Rite Aid
• Target Up & Up
• Velocity Pharma

See full list of product names at the bottom of this article.

East County News Service

October 20, 2023 (El Cajon) -- Enjoy a healthy Halloween and free admission to The Water Conservation Garden on Thursday, October 26 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. courtesy of the Grossmont Healthcare District. 

East County News Service

October 13, 2023 (San Diego) -- San Diego County is launching the Blue Envelope Program starting October 16. The program is designed to promote inclusivity and provide an enhanced communication awareness tool between law enforcement and community members diagnosed with a condition or disability such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, dementia, anxiety, or other conditions that might require additional accommodations or awareness during a law enforcement interaction.

East County News Service

October 12, 2023 (La Mesa) – In recognition of Health Literacy Month, the Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) is hosting a day of learning about the importance of communicating and understanding health information. 

"We have folks getting injured on the job because they're trying to do too much and see too many people and work too quickly," said one union leader, demanding better staffing levels. "It's not a sustainable situation."

By Jake Johnson, staff writer, Common Dreams

Photo:  Kaiser Permanente workers are seen on strike in Roseville, California on October 4, 2023. (Photo: SEIU-UHW)

Reprinted under a Creative Commons license from Common Dreams

October 4, 2023 (San Diego) - Tens of thousands of healthcare workers across the United States began a three-day strike against Kaiser Permanente on Wednesday to protest the nonprofit hospital giant's alleged unfair labor practices, bad-faith bargaining, inadequate wages and chronic staff shortages that employees say are harming them and patients.

By Cassie N. Saunders, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 28, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- The Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) program that supports people confronting mental health struggles is getting a multi-million-dollar boost.