Santa Cruz County Local Health News Articles and Digest

COVID-19 Health State of California

10/02/2024
The summer COVID surge in California may be finally abating, but people are still advised to get update vaccines in anticipation of a resurgence in the fall and winter.

From Good Times...

Health Land Use & Development

Watsonville Community Hospital to Be Bought by PVHD

10/01/2024
Image for display with article titled Watsonville Community Hospital to Be Bought by PVHD

Watsonville Community Hospital could soon be owned by the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District. PVHD announced a plan to purchase the building and surrounding property, a major milestone in a years-long endeavor to return the facility to public ownership.

From CalMatters...

Business, Economy & Jobs Health State of California

A Minimum Wage Increase for California Health Care Workers Is Finally Kicking In

10/01/2024
A California minimum wage law that was delayed amid budget troubles is now set to go into effect Oct. 16. It’s expected to benefit hundreds of thousands of workers.

From CalMatters...

Education Health State of California

Vomiting, Cramps and Lethargy: As Heat Rises, California Kids Are Sweltering in Schools With No Air Conditioning

09/30/2024
An estimated 1 in 5 schools has no air conditioning and another 10% need repair. Underfunded schools struggle to keep classrooms cool as heat waves intensify. “It’s a hot mess,” one teacher says.

From Lookout Local...

Health County of Santa Cruz

Give Your Feedback: Mobile Outreach Syringe and Narcan Distribution

09/27/2024
The public is invited to give feedback to the Harm Reduction Coalition of Santa Cruz County about a possible mobile outreach program to distribute clean syringes and Narcan in an effort to reduce overdose deaths.

From Santa Cruz Local...

Public Safety Health Housing

Rats, High Rents Plague UC-owned Hilltop Apartments in Santa Cruz

09/26/2024
Image for display with article titled Rats, High Rents Plague UC-owned Hilltop Apartments in Santa Cruz

Residents at the UC-owned, 168-unit Hilltop Apartments on Western Drive in Santa Cruz described problems with rats, delayed maintenance and unexplained charges.

From The Pajaronian...

Health

“A Watershed Moment:” PVHCD to Purchase Watsonville Community Hospital Building, Property

09/26/2024
Image for display with article titled “A Watershed Moment:” PVHCD to Purchase Watsonville Community Hospital Building, Property

Pajaro Valley Healthcare District—the public agency tasked with running Watsonville Community Hospital—announced Wednesday that they plan to purchase the building and surrounding property, a major milestone in a years-long endeavor to return the facility to public ownership.

From Lookout Local...

Health Land Use & Development

Health Care District Votes to Buy Watsonville Hospital Building

09/26/2024
In their September 25 meeting, the Pajaro Valley Health Care District board voted to purchase the Watsonville hospital facilities and land.

From Lookout Local...

Business, Economy & Jobs Education Health Dientes Community Dental Care

COE Offers Dental Assistant Apprentice Program

09/20/2024
Santa Cruz County Office of Education's Career and Adult Learning Services is offering a paid instruction and apprenticeship program to help fill the need for dental assistants in the county.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Health Land Use & Development Janus

Groundbreaking Celebrates Future Perinatal Treatment Center

09/18/2024
A groundbreaking was held on September 17 for the future Janus of Santa Cruz perinatal center on Pennsylvania Drive in Watsonville.

From CalMatters...

Health State of California

Most Maternal Deaths Can Be Prevented. Here’s How California Aims to Cut Them in Half

09/17/2024
The California surgeon general is launching a campaign today to spread awareness about health conditions that contribute to pregnancy-related deaths, such as heart disease.

From CalMatters...

Health

California’s Cap on Health Care Costs Is the Nation’s Strongest. But Will Patients Notice?

09/17/2024
California’s new cap on health care cost increases is regarded as the most aggressive in the nation. It includes potential fines against companies that exceed the limit.

From Los Angeles Times...

Public Safety Health Animals

H5N1 Bird Flu Infects California Dairy Cows

09/11/2024
H5N1 bird flu has been reported in three California dairy herds.

From Lookout Local...

Health Community Service & Support Santa Cruz Community Health

Santa Cruz Community Health Holding 50th Anniversary Party

09/06/2024
Celebrating 50 years, nonprofit health care provider Santa Cruz Community Health will be hosting a fundraising gala at the Hotel Paradox in Santa Cruz on Octtober 5.

From CalMatters...

Education Health State of California

Should California Community Colleges Offer Bachelor’s Degrees in Nursing? Universities Say No

09/05/2024
Lawmakers approved two bills to allow some community colleges to provide bachelor’s degrees in nursing. That’s setting up another conflict with the California State University, which already offers these bachelor’s degrees.

From CalMatters...

Health State of California

Health Care in California: How the State Made Almost Everyone Eligible for Coverage

09/03/2024
Almost everyone in California has health insurance. That trend reflects about a decade and a half of policymaking designed to expand access to health care. The state’s average uninsured rate has dropped from nearly one in four Californians in 2009 to less than one in ten today.

From Lookout Local...

Public Safety Health Crime & Justice County of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz County Fentanyl Deaths Decreasing

08/29/2024
Data from the office of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff indicates a decrease in local fentanyl-related deaths in 2024.

From CalMatters...

Health State of California

These Middlemen Say They Keep Drug Prices Low. California Lawmakers Don’t Buy It

08/27/2024
Pharmacy benefit managers attempt to negotiate cost savings for insurers. California is considering new rules that would require them to pass their discounts on to consumers.

From Lookout Local...

COVID-19 Public Safety Health Resilience

COVID Surging, Health Officials Recommend Updated Vaccine

08/26/2024
As COVID cases surge, health officials are recommending people take advantage of a recently approved and updated vaccine when it becomes available.

From CalMatters...

Health State of California

Lawmakers Say Newsom Staff ‘Inflated’ Cost of Failed Health Care Bills

08/26/2024
A trio of California Democratic lawmakers say they’re frustrated by high cost estimates that helped kill their health care legislation. Did the Newsom administration inflate the numbers to quietly kill the bills?

Santa Cruz County Local News: Health