Image by Vergani_Fotografia. OPINION – I stand at the intersection of two identities: a child of immigrants and a scholar in the field of mental health and education equity. That vantage has shown me both narratives of perseverance—and the silent crisis unfolding among our youth.
California has long been a public health leader. By relying on trusted medical experts rather than political interference, our state is putting people first.
Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California CEO Jodi Hicks. Photo credit to Ellie ApplebyWith drastic federal spending cuts being imposed on Medicaid patients, we sat down with Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California CEO Jodi Hicks to assess the impact of those cuts on her organization and the significant number of California women and men who rely on PPCA for much of their health care.
Amanda McAllister-Wallner. Photo courtesy of Health Access California. We sat down recently with Amanda McAllister-Wallner, Executive Director of Health Access California, a consumer advocacy coalition that advocates for more accessible, equitable, affordable, quality health care for all Californians to talk about the impact of impending federal budget cuts. The interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Image by nensuria. OPINION- If AB 1415 becomes law, it will thus deprive the state’s healthcare infrastructure of precious investment — and put high-quality care out of reach for countless Californians.
Dr. S. Monica Soni and Capitol Weekly editor Rich Ehisen. Photo by Joha Harrison. On Wednesday Capitol Weekly and The University of California Student and Policy Center presented the Health Care in California Conference, which tackled President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” and its impact on patients, medical research, hospitals and overall access to healthcare for Californians across the state.
Image by EyeEm Mobile GmbHOPINION – Certain metals occur naturally with essential nutrients. Policies must protect pregnant women from contaminants and nutritional gaps, not frighten them into nutritional deficiency.
Image by Samara HeiszOPINION – In my experience, waiting for affordable medications is a matter of life and death. Each day that goes by without state-level action on affordable insulin is a day that someone struggles unnecessarily.
Image by Vitalii Petrushenko. OPINION – The California Department of Finance has officially opposed Senate Bill 41, citing a California Department of Justice warning that its implementation costs would be “significant and unquantifiable.” When the state’s own fiscal experts flag a proposal this strongly, Governor Newsom should pause—especially when patient care could be disrupted.
Image by Andrii Yalanskyi. OPINION – For patients with mental health disorders, who often rely on multiple prescriptions to prevent life-threatening crises, affordability is not optional—it is critical. Yet unregulated pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) are driving up drug prices on the backs of patients.