Freshly Signed California Law Moves Toward Universal Health Care

Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill Saturday to move California toward care systems such as single-payer ones. Meanwhile, Newsom's signature on new laws also banned red dye No. 3, other potentially harmful food additives from consumer goods, and required pharmacies to report prescription errors.

Los Angeles Times: New California Law Takes A Step Toward Single-Payer Healthcare
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Saturday that sets the stage for California to work toward universal healthcare, such as a single-payer system that progressive activists have sought for years. The law could help California obtain a waiver that would allocate federal Medicaid and Medicare funds to be used for what could eventually become a single-payer system that would cover every California resident and be financed entirely by state and federal funds. (Sosa, 10/8)

CNN: Red Dye No. 3: California Governor Signs Bill Banning It 
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a landmark law aimed at banning red dye No. 3 and other potentially harmful food additives in consumer goods. On Saturday, the Golden State became the first in the country to forbid the use of the ingredients found in many popular candies, drinks and more, according to the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit environmental health organization that cosponsored the law with Consumer Reports. (Boyette, Rogers and Babineau, 10/9)

Los Angeles Times: Pharmacies Must Report Prescription Errors Under Bill Signed By Governor
For the first time, California pharmacies must report every prescription error under legislation signed by the governor Sunday. The measure — Assembly Bill 1286 — is aimed at reducing the estimated 5 million mistakes pharmacists make each year. ... In a survey of California licensed pharmacists in 2021, 91% of those working at chain pharmacies said staffing wasn't high enough to provide patients adequate care. (Petersen, 10/9)

Los Angeles Times: Gov. Newsom Signs Bill To Make Rape Kits More Accessible To Students
Seeking to make rape kits more accessible to students, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Monday that will require most California universities and colleges to provide transportation for students to and from a sexual assault treatment center. Assembly member Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) wrote Assembly Bill 1138, which will require schools to provide free and anonymous transportation to a treatment center that provides Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) exams or to contract with local organizations to provide the transportation. (Lin, 10/9)

San Francisco Chronicle: Newsom Vetoes Bill To Decriminalize Psychedelic Mushrooms
Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill Friday that would have decriminalized psilocybin, aka magic mushrooms — but left the door open for California to reconsider it next year. Newsom, in his veto message, said the measure proposed by San Francisco state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, would have decriminalized possession before therapeutic protections are in place. (Garofoli, 10/7)

Los Angeles Times: Newsom Vetoes Bill That Would Allow Condoms To Be Freely Distributed To Public High School Students
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday vetoed legislation that would have provided teenagers attending public high school with access to free condoms and prohibited retailers from refusing to sell them to youths. Newsom said that although he agreed that providing condoms are "important to supporting improved adolescent sexual health," the bill would have created an unfunded program that was not included in the state's annual budget. (Sosa, 10/8)

This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.

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