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California Is Investing $500M in Therapy Apps for Youth. Advocates Fear It Won’t Pay Off.

California launched two teletherapy apps as part of the governor’s $500 million foray into health technology with private companies. But the rollout has been so slow that one company has yet to make its app available on Android and social workers worry youths who need clinical care won’t get referrals.

Genetics Studies Have a Diversity Problem That Researchers Struggle To Fix

Researchers in Charleston, South Carolina, are trying to build a DNA database of 100,000 people to better understand how genetics affects health risks. But they’re struggling to recruit enough Black participants.

Mandatory Reporting Laws Meant To Protect Children Get Another Look

The state is looking at ways to weed out false reporting of child abuse and neglect as the number of reports reaches a record high.

Tire Toxicity Faces Fresh Scrutiny After Salmon Die-Offs

Tires emit huge volumes of particles and chemicals as they roll along the highway, and researchers are only beginning to understand the threat. One byproduct of tire use, 6PPD-q, is in regulators’ crosshairs after it was found to be killing fish.

FTC Chief Says Tech Advancements Risk Health Care Price Fixing

Technological advances including the widespread use of algorithms make it easier for companies to fix prices without explicitly coordinating, Lina Khan said at a KFF event.

California Legislators Debate Froot Loops and Free Condoms

California state lawmakers this year are continuing their progressive tilt on health policy, debating bills banning an ingredient in Froot Loops and offering free condoms for high schoolers.

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“Health Minute” brings original health care and health policy reporting from the KFF Health News newsroom to the airwaves each week.

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Special Coverage

‘Troubled Teen Industry’

Celebrity hotel heiress Paris Hilton is expanding her campaign for more public reporting on residential therapeutic centers’ use of restraints and seclusion rooms in disciplining teens, setting her sights on legislation in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

Indoor Workplace Heat

The Newsom administration has offered a compromise to allow workplace protections to take effect this summer. But state and local correctional workers — and prisoners — would have to wait even longer.

Bill Of The Month

A Mom’s $97,000 Question

How was her baby’s air-ambulance ride not medically necessary?

$25 Minimum Wage Law

Could hospitals and other health care providers cut hours and benefits?

Spotlight

Spotlight

Jian Zhang leads the 88-bed Chinese Hospital in San Francisco. The facility faces financial constraints like other independent hospitals, but its strong community support and partnerships have helped it weather tough times.

When Medical Devices Malfunction

FDA Announces Recall of Heart Pumps Linked to Deaths and Injuries

Some pumps used in end-stage heart failure caused a buildup of biological material that blocks blood flow from the device to the heart’s aorta. The FDA’s recall affects nearly 14,000 devices.

California Universities Are Required to Offer Abortion Pills

Many just don’t mention it.

Blind and Deaf Prisoners

A judge found that California prison and parole officials still are not doing enough to help deaf and blind prisoners.

Modesto Company Poised for Madera Hospital Takeover After Uphill Battle

Some community groups worry about the company’s track record.

Picture of Health

A Record Number of Californians Are Visiting Emergency Rooms for Dog Bites

There were nearly 50,000 emergency room visits for dog bites in California in 2022. The rate of such visits per capita is up about 70% since 2005.

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