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Health Net Cancels Assisted Living Benefit in California, Threatening Eviction for Thousands of Medi-Cal Patients

Health Net Cancels Assisted Living Benefit in California, Threatening Eviction for Thousands of Medi-Cal Patients

Health Net, a major Medi-Cal insurer in California, is discontinuing its assisted living benefit at the end of the year, impacting approximately 3,500 elderly and cognitively impaired Medi-Cal patients. This decision, which also affects CalViva Health and Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley, means that many residents relying on Health Net to cover assisted living costs face potential eviction. Families like Matt Johnstone's, whose 89-year-old father with dementia depends on the benefit, are in a precarious situation as they cannot afford the monthly costs of care. Health Net stated its decision was partly due to an increase in members moving from home to assisted living rather than from nursing homes, which it claims costs the plan money instead of generating savings. The insurer also cited changes in program guidelines by regulators that previously allowed them to limit community transitions. Despite the impending changes, many affected members and their families have not received direct notification...

Health Net to Cancel Assisted Living Benefits for 3,500 Medi-Cal Patients in California

Health Net to Cancel Assisted Living Benefits for 3,500 Medi-Cal Patients in California

Health Net, a major Medi-Cal insurer in California, is discontinuing its assisted living benefits for approximately 3,500 patients by the end of the year. This decision impacts elderly individuals, many with cognitive impairments like dementia, who rely on these benefits to cover the costs of board-and-care homes, memory care facilities, or larger group settings. The insurer's move has caused significant concern among patients' families and senior advocates, who fear that affected individuals could face homelessness or be forced into more expensive and potentially inappropriate care settings like hospitals or skilled nursing facilities. Health Net's decision follows a similar termination of a CalAIM benefit in Los Angeles County last year, which affected hundreds in temporary medical housing. The company attributes its decision partly to an increase in members moving from home to assisted living rather than from nursing homes, a trend it claims costs money instead of generating savings, and changes in prog...

Congressional Delay of Food Traceability Rule Sparks Debate Among Lawmakers and Industry

Congressional Delay of Food Traceability Rule Sparks Debate Among Lawmakers and Industry

A provision, Section 780, in the fiscal 2026 continuing appropriations bill, H.R. 5371, has barred the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from using funds to administer or enforce the Food Traceability Rule before July 20, 2028. This delay was a result of lobbying efforts by several industry associations, including the International Foodservice Distributors Association and the National Restaurant Association, which explicitly supported a 30-month compliance date extension and targeted flexibilities. The original bill to relax the traceability rule, H.R. 7563, was introduced by Representative Scott Franklin of Florida and co-sponsored by Representative Sanford Bishop of Georgia and Representative Jimmy Panetta of California. Both Franklin and Bishop sit on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies, which has jurisdiction over the FDA's funding. The Senate, in contrast, had initially directed that the FDA should not delay enforc...

US kindergarten vaccine coverage continues downward trend, falling 0.1%

US kindergarten vaccine coverage continues downward trend, falling 0.1%

By Michael Erman and Julie Steenhuysen Aug 17 (Reuters) - U.S. kindergarten vaccination coverage fell 0.1% during the 2025-2026 school year, continuing a downward trend that has seen declines every year except one since the onset of COVID-19, according to data from the U.S.

Ramona, California, Experiences Growing Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Local Egg Supplier

Ramona, California, Experiences Growing Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Local Egg Supplier

A Salmonella outbreak in Ramona, California, has expanded to 21 cases, including seven hospitalizations. The County's investigation initially linked the outbreak to mayonnaise from a Ramona market, which was made with raw eggs supplied by Happy Hens, a poultry farm. Additional cases of the same Salmonella strain, unrelated to the market, are also under investigation. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines state that only eggs graded AA, A, or B may be sold for human consumption, and all shell eggs must be properly labeled with grade, size, and refrigeration instructions. Eggs should be refrigerated at 45°F or lower. The County's Department of Environmental Health and Quality has contacted retail food facilities that may have received eggs from Happy Hens, reminding them of proper egg storage, grading requirements, and resale protocols. This local outbreak is distinct from a multi-state outbreak in the Midwest that has affected 98 individuals.

Ramona Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Raw Eggs Expands to 21 Cases

Ramona Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Raw Eggs Expands to 21 Cases

An ongoing Salmonella outbreak in Ramona, California, initially linked to mayonnaise from a local market, has expanded to 21 confirmed cases, including seven hospitalizations. The investigation by the County of San Diego revealed that the mayonnaise was made with raw eggs supplied by Happy Hens, a poultry farm. The County is also investigating additional cases of the same Salmonella strain that are not directly related to the market. This local outbreak is distinct from a multi-state Salmonella outbreak in the Midwest that has sickened 98 individuals and led to a separate recall. Authorities are collaborating with the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the California Department of Public Health to manage the situation. The County’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality has issued reminders to retail food facilities that may have received eggs from Happy Hens regarding proper egg storage, grading requirements, and resale protocols.

Lineage Cold Storage Warehouse Fire in Boyle Heights Raises Ammonia Exposure Concerns

Lineage Cold Storage Warehouse Fire in Boyle Heights Raises Ammonia Exposure Concerns

A fire at the Lineage cold storage warehouse in Boyle Heights, which burned for eight days in June, has led to ongoing concerns about anhydrous ammonia exposure in the community. The facility used thousands of pounds of this toxic refrigerant. While Lineage spokesperson Melanie Mendoza stated that ammonia levels never posed a health risk, residents have reported symptoms such as sore throats, skin rashes, headaches, irritated eyes, and worsened asthma. Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) records, obtained by Capital & Main, indicate that firefighters identified an 'active amonia [sic] leak' on the roof shortly after the fire began on June 17. Despite initial denials from Lineage and conflicting statements from LAFD Chief Jaime Moore, recent air monitoring by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) and Lineage's own contractor, Onterris, detected elevated ammonia levels weeks after the fire, some exceeding California's safety guidelines for short-term exposure.

US kindergarten vaccine coverage falls 0.1%, CDC says

US kindergarten vaccine coverage falls 0.1%, CDC says

Aug 17 (Reuters) - U.S. kindergarten vaccination coverage fell 0.1% during the 2025-2026 school year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday.

Southern California Braces for Another Significant Heat Wave

Southern California Braces for Another Significant Heat Wave

Southern California is preparing for another substantial heat wave, with temperatures expected to climb starting Tuesday and peak on Wednesday and Thursday. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for most of the region, forecasting highs between 92 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Nighttime lows are anticipated to remain in the 70s in many Los Angeles County valleys, and potentially above 80 degrees in some foothills and mountain communities. Coastal areas, while still experiencing rising temperatures, will see less dramatic increases, with Long Beach projected to reach 86 degrees and Santa Monica 79 degrees. This heat wave is driven by a ridge of high pressure over the desert Southwest, with the most extreme temperatures expected near the Nevada, Arizona, and southeastern California borders, where an extreme heat warning is in effect. Las Vegas could see highs up to 108 degrees, Phoenix up to 112 degrees, and Death Valley potentially 118 degrees. While significant, meteorologists note that thi...

Representative Sanford Bishop Co-Sponsors Bill to Relax Food Traceability Rules Amidst Subcommittee Role

Representative Sanford Bishop Co-Sponsors Bill to Relax Food Traceability Rules Amidst Subcommittee Role

Representative Sanford Bishop of Georgia, a ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies, co-sponsored H.R. 7563. This bill, introduced by Scott Franklin of Florida and also co-sponsored by Jimmy Panetta of California, aimed to amend Section 204(d) of the Food Safety Modernization Act. The proposed changes would have relieved retail food establishments, restaurants, and warehouses from the obligation to maintain traceability lot codes and pass them down the supply chain. Additionally, the bill would have mandated the FDA to conduct a series of pilot projects before enforcing any compliance dates. Critics argue that stripping the lot code requirement would effectively gut the food traceability rule, making true public health tracebacks impossible. Although H.R. 7563 did not pass, its provisions later surfaced in subsequent House appropriations bills, ultimately becoming Section 780, which prohibited the FDA from ...

L-Nutra Issues Allergy Alert for Undeclared Tree Nuts in Prolon Brand Apulian Almond Cocoa Spread

L-Nutra, a company based in Culver City, California, has issued an allergy alert and is recalling its Prolon brand Apulian Almond & Cocoa Spread due to the presence of undeclared cashew, pistachio, and hazelnut. The product, packaged in 8.47oz (240g) glass jars with UPC 850040360530, specifically lot L2755 with an expiration date of January 2, 2027, was distributed through L-Nutra's e-commerce site, ProlonLife.com, both as direct purchases and as part of product bundles. The recall was initiated after testing confirmed the presence of these tree nut allergens, which were not disclosed on the product's label. To date, one confirmed allergic reaction associated with this product has been documented. The cause of the undeclared allergens is currently under investigation, and at this time, only Lot L2755 is known to be affected.

Ventura County Star, Camarillo

Connection found in Ventura County, Santa Barbara County measles cases

Connection found in Ventura County, Santa Barbara County measles cases

California Department of Public Health officials confirmed a connection in recent Ventura County and Santa Barbara County measles cases.