The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week unveiled new steps aimed at fostering the development of non-addictive alternatives to opioids to manage acute pain and decreasing exposure to opioids and decreasing exposure to opioids. The agenda issued draft guidance to provide recommendations to companies developing non-opioid analgesics for acute pain lasting up to…
Read More »The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) this week released a new report highlighting the economic impact of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), specifically the role ARPA played in reducing poverty. The report, issued by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE), projects that economic relief efforts –…
Read More »The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) California Technical Assistance Center (COHTAC) recently published the Tobacco Cessation Toolkit for California Dental Providers. The toolkit was created in partnership with the San Joaquin County Public Health Services Smoking & Tobacco Outreach and Prevention Program (STOPP) and Local Oral Health Program and the California Department of Public…
Read More »The Newsom Administration recently announced a series of actions related to homelessness and housing. Below, we highlight these actions: Homekey Awards Issued to More Jurisdictions Governor Gavin Newsom this month announced additional awards for new Homekey projects to provide housing units to people exiting homelessness. Homekey, launched in 2020, seeks to provide more permanent housing…
Read More »The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) recently announced it is accepting applications for the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) COVID-19 Respond, Innovate, Sustain, and Equip (RISE) Awards. The awards are intended to provide resources to the MRC network to support COVID-19 response efforts. RISE awards will prioritize building capacity for the MRC…
Read More »On Monday, the California State Senate and Assembly met the deadline for two-year bills introduced in their house of origin last year to be advanced to the next house. Several high-profile measures awaited action on Monday, including bills related to health care and environmental health. Of note, AB 1400 by Assembly Member Ash Kalra failed…
Read More »The California State Senate and Assembly continue to ramp up their budget-related activities with the majority of budget subcommittees beginning hearings on proposed investments this week and next. On Thursday, the Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee convened a hearing to consider and advance a series of measures included in the early budget action package….
Read More »The California Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management on Thursday convened an informational hearing to assess the state’s extreme heat emergency. Senator Henry Stern, chair of the joint committee, opened the hearing by highlighting concerning trends in extreme heat and wildfires in the state of California, largely exacerbated by impacts of climate change. Assembly Member…
Read More »The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday granted approval to a second COVID-19 vaccine. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine received FDA approval, and the approved vaccine will be marketed as “Spikevax” for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older. According to the FDA, Spikevax meets the FDA’s rigorous standards…
Read More »This week, two notable departures from the Newsom Administration were announced. Below, we highlight these announcements: Burke-Harris to Step Down as California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris, California’s first Surgeon General, announced on Tuesday she is resigning her position. Burke-Harris began her role as the state’s inaugural Surgeon General in February 2019. Her last day…
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