California and Canada have about the same number of people – 39 million in California, 35 million in Canada. Both jurisdictions legalized medical aid in dying in 2016. Both have similar medical systems.
Yet in 2022, 13,241 Canadians took advantage of medical aid in dying, while only 853 Californians did so. Why the big difference?
The developmental disabilities service system is developing a Master Plan for Developmental Services.
We want to create a plan focused on equity for a community that is as diverse as our state. It should build on lessons learned over many years to create meaningful improvements to the systems that serve our community.
Our doctors are experiencing an alarming mental health crisis. Approximately one physician dies by suicide each day in the United States — a rate twice that of the general public and a loss that means a million patients lose their doctor to suicide each year.
A question about mental health on licensure applications must be amended to promote a healthier medical community.
California, through the Master Plan on Aging, has led the nation in recognizing the unique and increasingly urgent needs of older adults.
But Gov. Newsom’s recently released budget proposal for the 2025-26 fiscal year could cut aging and disability-focused programs. We’ve heard firsthand from older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers about the challenges in accessing support and affordable housing. Many people feel left behind by the system.
It’s been nearly two years since the U.S. Supreme Court eliminated the right to legal abortion in this country.
To be clear, this is not a crisis limited in scope to residents of states with bans. Patients from across the South have been relying on abortion providers in The Sunshine State as clinics in their own backyard shuttered.
The status quo is unacceptable — overall maternal mortality consistently ranks among the top causes of death among women ages 20 to 44 in the United States, and the rate has steadily increased since the 1990s.
The specialty of anesthesiology has been working to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality through best practices and use of quality metrics.
Last year when other Medi-Cal providers (like OBGYNs and doulas) were given a rate increase for their services, community health workers were left out.
As the California legislature begins discussions about how to streamline the state’s budget, we hope they will consider allocating money for this essential service.
The WIC food assistance program is needed and effective. However, there are multiple barriers to accessing services.
By modernizing how health data is shared with local WIC agencies, we can increase program enrollment, enhance care coordination with health care providers and improve the health of high-risk, underserved populations.
Millions of Californians feel they can’t afford to address their health needs, whether through medication, doctor’s visits or insurance coverage.
California’s new Office of Health Care Affordability recently proposed capping medical spending growth at 3 percent. This would limit how much things like insurance premiums or the cost of medical services could rise every year.
Victims of Crime Act funding is the largest funding source for victims’ services throughout California and the country. But it’s in jeopardy.
If California doesn’t allocate additional funds, grants to victim service providers will face a devastating 30 percent cut.