On Thursday evening, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-33-20 in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The executive order, which includes an order of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Sonia Angell, requires all Californians to stay at home or at their place of residence effective…
Read More »In a move that has not occurred in almost 160 years, the California Legislature voted Monday night to recess their respective bodies until Monday, April 13, 2020, due to COVID-19. Acknowledging the seriousness of the crisis, President pro Tempore Toni Atkins said “…even though we may not physically be in the Capitol, we will continue…
Read More »Last night, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell released the details of a Senate Republican plan for a third round of proposals aimed to address the COVID-19 crisis. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act is a nearly $1 trillion package. Major provisions include: $300 billion for loans for impacted small businesses….
Read More »On March 19, the California Department of Health Care Services sent a formal letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting additional flexibilities to assist in California’s COVID-19 response efforts. DHCS requested the following flexibilities to be granted for fee-for-service Medi-Cal beneficiaries and providers, and various federally approved delivery systems such as…
Read More »On Monday, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Marko Mijic as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services. Mr. Mijic was appointed in May of 2019 and served in an acting capacity since 2018. Last month, the Senate Rules Committee voted to unanimously move his confirmation to the Senate floor for consideration. The senate voted…
Read More »In response to the extraordinary circumstances facing local health departments as they respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) announced a 90-day extension for all local health departments who are currently engaged in the initial accreditation process and those seeking reaccreditation. More information on the extension can be found here.
Read More »Today, Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee, along with Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Director Dr. Bradley Gilbert and State Medicaid Director Jacey Cooper, announced a special enrollment period for health insurance coverage amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Effective today, Friday, March 20, Californians who meet eligibility requirements and are without health insurance are…
Read More »Earlier today (March 16), Governor Newsom sent a letter to the California Legislature urging action to support the state of emergency he declared on March 4. In his letter he provides a statement, as required by the Constitution, waiving the 72-hour rule – the constitutional requirement for bills to be in print for 72 hours…
Read More »Today, Sunday, March 15, Governor Newsom held a press conference to provide updates regarding COVID-19 cases throughout the state and additional actions he is pursuing. In his update, he indicated a total of 335 positive cases and 6 deaths in California and just over 8,000 tests conducted to date. He announced plans to expand testing…
Read More »The Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) announced it will hold a webinar featuring findings of TFAH’s 2019 State of Obesity report, as well as a discussion amongst public health leaders on the national obesity crisis, its health impacts, and how advocates are working at national, state, and local levels to address the ongoing epidemic. TFAH’s…
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