The State of Black Health; Plus, Worst Week: Suspense File Edition

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Got a two-fer this week: First we speak with Rhonda Smith, the Executive Director of the California Black Health Network. Smith weighs in on the state of Black health in California, including a look at how the Fentanyl crisis is impacting the Black community.

Next up, we bring you an expanded “Suspense File” edition of our Who Had the Worst Week in California Politics feature. We were joined by Mackenzie Mays, a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, who covered last week’s Suspense drama in real time and offered a closeup  view of some of the bills that failed to make it out of Appropriations.

1:32 Rhonda Smith- What is the mission of CBHN?

3:01 The Black Health Agenda

5:49 What is the state of Black health?

6:58 “Black Californians live about five and a half years less than the state average”

7:57 The Fentanyl crisis

11:00 Social Determinants of health

12:32 Looking at the governor’s Master Plan

15:37 The plan for National Guard and CHP involvement

17:29 Is this a problem that can be solved with money?

21:28 “You have to acknowledge the big elephant in the room”

22:50 Disparities in prescribing opioids?

27:33 WWCA Suspense File edtion, with Mackenzie Mays

31:57 #AB710

34:38 Cost cutoff

37:28 CEQA reform

39:32 Sen. Dianne Feinstein