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San Benito County Health Digest



Newsom Calls Out Republican Abortion Policies in New Ad Running in Alabama

04/21/2024

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new ad blasts GOP efforts to make it harder for people to leave states with abortion bans and seek treatment elsewhere.

California Sets Nation’s First Water Standard for Cancer-Causing Contaminant

04/17/2024

Water suppliers say the costs will be massive, with rates increasing for many consumers. Known as the “Erin Brockovich” chemical, hexavalent chromium is found statewide.

In San Francisco’s Chinatown, a CEO Works With the Community to Bolster Hospital

04/16/2024

Chinese Hospital, located in the heart of this city's legendary Chinatown, struggles with many of the same financial and demographic challenges that plague small independent hospitals in underserved areas across the country.

Hospital Board Member Recall Initiated

04/16/2024

Local resident Robert Bernosky announced a plan to initiate a recall of San Benito Health Care District Board member Josie Sanchez.

Cease-and-Desist Demand Issued

04/12/2024

The City of Hollister has issued a cease-and-desist demand against San Benito Foods due to odors from wastewater operations.

San Benito Health Foundation to Receive Federal Funding

04/11/2024

Representative Zoe Lofgren announced $1.4M in federal funds have been allocated to the San Benito Health foundation.

We Must Take Better Care of Our Home-Based Child Care Providers

04/09/2024

These professionals provide essential services, but their pay and working conditions do not reflect their value, and their health suffers.

Hazel Hawkins Nurses Rally

04/05/2024

The union representing Hazel Hawkins nurses organized a rally, calling for hospital management to drop its bankruptcy appeal and focus on services.

San Benito Health Care District Will Appeal Bankruptcy Court Decision

03/29/2024

The San Benito Health Care District board unanimously voted to appeal the decision to deny Chapter 9 bankruptcy.

Homeless Infants and Toddlers Largely Unenrolled in Early Ed Programs

03/28/2024

Evictions have exacerbated homelessness nationwide, increasing the rate of homeless infants and toddlers. Most of those children are not enrolled in early education programs.

Your Doctor or Your Insurer? Little-Known Rules May Ease the Choice in Medicare Advantage

03/28/2024

Disputes between insurers and providers can lead to entire hospital systems suddenly leaving the plans.

California’s Disabled Students Left Behind During Emergencies: ‘They Just Weren’t Ready for Someone Like Me’

03/27/2024

After bringing his story all the way to the University of California Board of Regents, a disabled UC Berkeley student has prompted the UC to ensure emergency evacuation chairs are in every multi-storied building in the 10-university system.

Health and Human Services Agency Inspection Reports Deficiencies in San Benito Jail System

03/26/2024

The San Benito Health and Human Services Agency annual inspection turned up deficiencies in health training and services provided by the San Benito County jail system with most in the juvenile facility.

At Stake in Mifepristone Case: Abortion, FDA’s Authority, and Return to 1873 Obscenity Law

03/25/2024

Lawyers from the conservative Christian group that won the case to overturn Roe v. Wade are returning to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday in pursuit of an urgent priority: shutting down access to abortion pills for women across the country.

Hazel Hawkins Hospital Bankruptcy Filing Dismissed

03/21/2024

The petition for bankruptcy filed by the San Benito Health Care District was dismissed with the finding that Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital was unable to prove insolvency.

California Nurses Association Reaction to Hazel Hawkins Bankruptcy Ruling

03/21/2024

The reaction from the California Nurses Association to the ruling of Judge Stephen Johnson of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern California District of California that the hospital did not satisfy one of the statutory requirements to remain in Chapter 9 Bankruptcy.

Hazel Hawkins Hospital Reaction to Bankruptcy Ruling

03/21/2024

The reaction from Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital to the ruling of Judge Stephen Johnson of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern California District of California that the hospital did not satisfy one of the statutory requirements to remain in Chapter 9 Bankruptcy.

Potential Hazel Hawkins Buyer Would Retain Hospital Executive Team

03/19/2024

In a public meeting, the founder of the Insight health care group said it would retain the current Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital executive staff and include community members on its board if Insight assumes ownership.

California Attorney General Boosts Bill Banning Medical Debt From Credit Reports

03/10/2024

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Monday that he is throwing his weight behind legislation to bar medical debt from showing up on consumer credit reports, a Democratic-led effort to offer protection to patients squeezed by health care bills.

San Francisco Voters Pass Police & Drug Ballot Measures

03/08/2024

Proposition E broadens police surveillance powers and Proposition F mandates drug screening and treatment for people receiving county welfare benefits who are suspected of drug use.

Study Finds Almost 50% of San Francisco Drug Users Not Residents

03/01/2024

A report of a 12 month study which ended in February indicates almost half of those cited for drug usage were not residents of the city, leading to questions about city approaches to drug addiction.

Antidepressant Prescriptions to Young People Surged During the Pandemic

02/27/2024

The monthly rate of antidepressants being dispensed to young people increased about 64% more quickly during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics.

California Hospitals, Advocates Seek Stable Funding to Retain Behavioral Health Navigators

02/26/2024

Health providers and addiction experts warn the funding structure is unstable for a California initiative that steers patients with substance use disorder into long-term treatment.

‘Fourth Wave’ of Opioid Epidemic Crashes Ashore, Propelled by Fentanyl and Meth

02/20/2024

The United States is knee-deep in what some experts call the opioid epidemic's "fourth wave," which is not only placing drug users at greater risk but is also complicating efforts to address the nation's drug problem.

Faceoff Between Anthem Blue Cross, UC Health Shows Hazards of Industry Consolidation

02/15/2024

For weeks, Anthem Blue Cross enrollees who receive health care from the University of California were in suspense, as the health system and one of its largest insurance partners struggled to reach a new contract.

All This Rain Could Invite Mosquitoes Into Your Backyard

02/14/2024

While temperatures aren’t warm enough for mosquitoes to run rampant, now’s the time to prevent breeding grounds.

New Eligibility Rules Mean Nearly 2 Million on Medi-Cal Can Now Save for a Rainy Day

02/13/2024

Nearly 2 million Medi-Cal enrollees can now accumulate savings and property without limitations and still qualify for the state's health insurance program for low-income residents.

She Opened a Business to Deliver Babies. California Policies Drove Her Out of the Country

02/11/2024

Midwives provide many of the same services as doctors in low-risk pregnancies. A new UCSF study highlights obstacles they face doing business in California, especially when serving patients with Medi-Cal insurance.

Bankrupt California Hospital Left a Health Care Desert. Two Medical Groups Move to Reopen It

02/08/2024

The closure of Madera Community Hospital created a new health care desert in a community that already had fewer doctors per capita than other parts of the state. UCSF and Adventist have a plan to reopen it.

County Offers Updated Option for the Future of Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital

02/07/2024

A proposal was delivered to the San Benito Healthcare District, which included an updated Letter of Intent, a draft Joint Powers of Authority agreement, and other paths for achieving financial viability.

Is Housing Health Care? State Medicaid Programs Increasingly Say ‘Yes’

02/05/2024

States are plowing billions of dollars into a high-stakes health care experiment that’s exploding around the country: using scarce public health insurance money to provide housing for the poorest and sickest Americans.

California Universities Are Required to Offer Students Abortion Pills. A Lot Just Don’t Mention It

02/04/2024

One year after California became the first state to require its public universities to provide the abortion pill to students, basic information on where or how students can obtain the medication is lacking.

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