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California Watch

News stories in this section spotlight activities in California, including actions by the state Assembly and state Senate; proposed legislation; regulators like the Department of Managed Health Care and Department of Insurance; and the state ACA exchange, Covered California.

Here’s What Can Go Wrong When You Shop in Mexico and Canada for Cheap Drugs

In its effort to temper the sky-high prices Americans pay for many vital medications, the Trump administration last month unveiled a plan that would legalize the importation of selected prescription drugs from countries where they sell for far less. But the plan addresses imports only at the wholesale level; it is silent about the transactions by millions of Americans who already buy their medications outside the United States.

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Paging More Doctors: California’s Worsening Physician Shortage

In a northern California valley stretching under miles of bright blue sky between two snowy volcanic peaks, Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta, Daniel Dahle is known as a godsend, a friend, a lifesaver, a companion until the end.

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California Sues Over Trump Move to Block Green Cards for Poor Immigrants

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Xavier Becerra on Friday sued to block the Trump administration’s “public charge” rule, which would deny immigrants green cards if they are likely to rely on public benefits.

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As Families Drop Health Benefits Over ‘Public Charge’ Rule, Clinics Scramble to Respond

Soon after news broke last week of the Trump administration’s finalized “public charge” rule, benefit enrollers at the Eisner Health community clinic in downtown Los Angeles started getting phone calls.

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For the Sake of the Economy, California Legislators Must Fix the Flawed California Consumer Privacy Act

The Legislature must fix the California Consumer Privacy Act before it takes effect on Jan. 1, 2020.  The law is riddled with unclear definitions, overly broad mandates, and small errors that will lead to unnecessary costs and widespread confusion about compliance.

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Health Care Fight Among 2020 Democrats Shifts to Taxes

Taxes are playing a leading role in the health care debate that’s dividing the field of 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. Centrist candidates are criticizing their opponents on the left who support the single-payer proposal known as “Medicare for All” by arguing that it is too expensive and would require tax hikes for the middle class.

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Governor Newsom Touts Health Care Spending In Visit To San Diego

Governor Gavin Newsom was in San Diego Friday touting the state's efforts to make health care more affordable for middle-class families.

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California AG Takes On ‘Pay for Delay’ Generic Drug Deals

California’s attorney general touted a legal victory last week against drugmakers who he said made secretive, backroom deals to keep less expensive drugs off the market.

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San Jose Sues CVS, Walgreens and Other Drug Distributors, Manufacturers Over Opioids

San Jose has joined cities across the country in calling out the makers and sellers of prescription painkillers like OxyContin and Percocet for furthering the nation’s opioid epidemic.

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Why Drug Companies, Hospitals are Spending Big at State Capitol – and What it Means for You

Drug companies, hospitals and dialysis companies spent millions of dollars in the first half of the year fighting bills that would have hurt their bottom lines, according to lobbying reports filed last week.

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