Latest news with #Californians
San Francisco Chronicle
20 hours ago
- Climate
- San Francisco Chronicle
How severe will California's heat wave get near you? Here's a ranking for every neighborhood
This week, state officials launched a new tool that ranks heat wave severity and predicts impacts from sweltering temperatures at the neighborhood scale. The unveiling comes as intense heat is gripping Northern California, with parts of the Bay Area that could face triple-digit temperatures. Temperatures Friday, according to the new tool — dubbed the California Communities Extreme Heat Scoring System — are classified as 'severe' in places like San Jose, Walnut Creek and Concord. This is the highest heat severity category, on a scale of 0 ('low') to 4 ('severe'). At this level, communities face high risk of heat-related illnesses. Cooler temperatures are expected in San Francisco. But parts of the city, including the Bayview and South of Market neighborhoods, have a score of 3, corresponding with 'high' heat risk. Heat risk scores are calculated for individual ZIP codes through analysis of historical climate data, weather forecasts and potential health impacts. The model is based on emergency department visit data during the summer months. Temperature thresholds used for calculating scores differ between ZIP codes. The California Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment led the development of the tool. The National Weather Service provides a HeatRisk tool with similar heat-risk scores for the entire country. But that tool uses county-level data, while CalHeatScore relies on ZIP-code level emergency department data, said Walker Wieland, the program manager for CalHeatScore, during a media briefing Friday. 'We're able to use finer scale health data that really allows us to pinpoint more where those health vulnerabilities are,' Wieland said. The tool also provides socioeconomic and demographic data that highlights populations that may be vulnerable to extreme heat. 'This tool prioritizes those most at risk and helps ensure that no community is left behind,' said Yana Garcia, California's Secretary for Environmental Protection, during the Friday briefing. Garcia highlighted the correlation between heat and a range of negative health impacts, including increased emergency room visits and hospitalizations for medical issues. 'Not everyone experiences heat in the same way,' Garcia said. 'For example, many Californians don't have access to air conditioning. Some work long hours outdoors. Others are isolated or may face barriers to receiving critical health information.' A hotter future due to global warming brings additional challenges. 'As climate change drives rising temperatures, and as more frequent and intense heat waves hit communities across California, children in particular, older adults, outdoor workers and those with underlying health issues face the greatest risks,' Garcia said.
Los Angeles Times
20 hours ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Gov. Newsom proposes ‘asset test' for low-income and disabled Medi-Cal applicants. What does that mean?
Millions of Californians who rely on Medi-Cal and In-Home Supportive Services could lose eligibility under a proposal requiring recipients to prove their assets total less than $2,000. Gov. Gavin Newsom's recent revised budget proposal highlighted a stark $37.6 billion increase in funding costs associated with Medi-Cal between the 2024 and 2025 fiscal year, compared to $17.1 billion in the 2014 through 2015 fiscal year. The dollar amount needed to fund the program is expected to continue rising over the next several years. The cost has been driven up by a surge in enrollment, pharmacy costs and higher managed care costs, according to the budget proposal. The Medi-Cal caseload reported an increase of 12.7 million recipients between 2019 and 2020 to 15 million in 2024 through 2025. Medi-Cal is the state's health care program that provides free or low-cost health coverage for those who qualify, specifically low-income adults and families, seniors and individuals with disabilities. In-Home Supportive Services provides in-home assistance to eligible aged, blind and disabled people as an alternative to out-of-home care. Newsom has proposed tackling the rising costs of the programs by reintroducing what is called the 'asset test' to limit eligibility for the Medi-Cal and In-Home Supportive Services programs. For decades, low-income seniors and those with disabilities had to pass the 'asset test' to be eligible for Medi-Cal and In-Home Supportive Services programs. That meant that a single applicant couldn't qualify if they had assets valued more than $2,000. The limit for a couple was $3,000. To determine whether someone had $2,000 or not, the state would look at a person's bank accounts, the amount of cash they had in hand and whether they had a second vehicle, among other analyses. In 2024, the test was eliminated, allowing all-income eligible people to apply for Medi-Cal's Aged and Disabled program, Med-Care Savings programs and Long-Term Care program regardless of assets. Newsom has proposed reinstating the 'asset test' and include in that evaluation the value of a person's primary home, vehicle or retirement fund for both Medi-Cal and Home Supportive Services programs. Reinstating the test would purportedly save an estimated $94 million this coming fiscal year, $540 million the next year and $791 million annually thereafter, which includes costs for Home Supportive Services, according to the California Department of Health Care Services. If approved, the 'asset test' would go into effect Jan. 1, 2026. Disability and health advocates are criticizing the governor's proposal, with the nonprofit group Disability Rights California calling it a willingness to 'sacrifice the health and human services of California's people, particularly the disabled, poor and elderly populations.' 'Disability Rights California and many others fought tirelessly for years to get this asset limit eliminated, finding it to be a deeply inhumane and punitive approach, the change just went fully into effect in 2024, and it is truly disturbing to see the Governor reverse course so quickly,' the nonprofit said in a statement. Reinstating the 'asset test' would result in 'people losing coverage and force older adults and people with disabilities into extreme poverty,' said the nonprofit organization California Health Advocates. The organization says the individuals who would lose coverage as a result of the proposed policy change could ultimately become 'Medi-Cal eligible again once they have exhausted any resources they have.' 'As a result of losing access to care, the costs to the state when they regain eligibility will likely increase because their condition will have worsened and they may no longer be able to live at home, thus requiring full time nursing facility care,' the organization said in a statement. Newsom defended his proposed budget cuts saying, 'None of this is the kind of work you enjoy doing — but you've got to do it. We have to be responsible. We have to be accountable. We have to balance the budget.' The Legislative Analyst's Office determined that seniors made up just under 10% of Med-Cal enrollment in December of 2024. The largest category of Medi-Cal enrollees is families, followed by childless adults aged 19 to 64 who qualify under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, seniors, persons with disabilities, children in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and other enrollees. Families and enrollees of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act make up about three-quarters of Medi-Cal enrollment. Even though the number of senior enrollees is relatively low compared to other groups, the state spends heavily on them, with annual costs per enrollee of around $15,000 compared to $8,000 across other caseload categories. To fund most Medi-Cal programs for families, seniors and those with disabilities, the federal government provides a 50% match, compared to other programs like the Affordable Care Act and Children's Health Insurance Program which gets an enhanced match of 90% and 65%, respectively. 'While higher health care costs are expected as people age, seniors also carry higher state costs due to the standard federal reimbursement rate,' according to the report.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
LAPD reserve officer, brother charged with insurance fraud in Bentley crash
A reserve Los Angeles Police Department officer and his brother are facing felony charges after they allegedly committed insurance fraud with a Bentley convertible. Eric Benjamin Halem, 37, and his 32-year-old brother Jacob Halem were investigated by the California Department of Insurance, the agency said in a news release. The elder Halem, who serves as a reserve officer for the LAPD but was formerly a full-time officer, is accused of falsely reporting a crash involving a 2020 Bentley Continental GT, officials said. According to CDI officials, Benjamin Halem claimed his brother Jacob was the one driving the luxury vehicle when it was involved in a single-vehicle crash on Jan. 5, 2023. The Bentley, however, had been rented out through Ben Halem's company, Drive LA, which offers exotic car rentals and other services. Drive LA's website shows a Bentley Continental GTC available to be rented for $875 per day. It was during a rental period three days before the reported crash that the damage was actually done, CDI said, and it was the unnamed renter, not Jacob Halem, who was driving at the time. After the driver's insurance claim was denied by their company, Ben Halem 'allegedly filed a fraudulent claim with his insurance company on his personal policy, misrepresenting the accident details,' the release explained. 'He claimed that his brother, Jacob Halem, had been driving the vehicle at the time of the crash. To support their false claim, Eric and Jacob Halem submitted staged photographs of the damaged Bentley on a tow truck near the alleged accident location,' CDI said. Jacob Halem also 'provided a false statement to the insurance company investigator in an effort to corroborate his brother's fraudulent claim,' officials said. Their attempt was unsuccessful, however, as insurance adjusters used body-camera footage from Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies responding to the real crash to demonstrate that the damage to the vehicle was done in the renter's crash on Jan. 2, 2023, not three days later. State officials said the fraud could have cost the insurance company more than $229,000. 'Insurance fraud impacts all Californians by driving up costs for consumers and businesses,' CDI said. 'If you suspect insurance fraud, report it to the California Department of Insurance at 800-927-4357 or visit Jail records show Ben Halem was arrested on March 27 and is free on $50,000 bond. Jacob Halem did not appear in a search of the records. The two men have been arraigned, CDI said, but no court information was available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
CalExit, California Independence Initiative, to Attend California Democratic Convention May 30June 1 in Anaheim
CalExit to Co-host California Democratic Party Black Caucus & Friends Black Futures Mixer and Honor Distinguished Leaders on Saturday, May 31 Dr. Kathleen Harmon Named CalExit Initiative Committee Chair LOS ANGELES, CA - May 30, 2025 (NEWMEDIAWIRE) - Leaders of the California independence initiative CalExit will attend the California Democratic Convention from May 30 to June 1 in Anaheim. Chief Executive Officer Dr. Xavier Mitchell and President Marcus Ruiz Evans will present their plan for California to secede from the United States to the state's top elected officials. In January, California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber approved the CalExit initiative to begin collecting petition signatures. CalExit will host information tables, attend caucus meetings, and speak with delegates. CalExit will co-host the California Democratic Party Black Caucus & Friends Black Futures Mixer Saturday, May 31, at 7:30 p.m. at Georgia's Restaurant, 440 South Anaheim Blvd., 209A, Anaheim, CA 92805. Join the CalExit leadership team and Dr. Kathleen Harmon as they honor distinguished leaders for their outstanding contributions and leadership. To RSVP, visit RSVP is required. CalExit is honored to announce that Dr. Kathleen Harmon, a San Diego-based community activist who has served the Democratic Party for 40 years, has been named Chair of the CalExit Initiative Committee. Dr. Mitchell emphasized the importance of the convention's timing for the initiative's progress. "As our July deadline to collect petition signatures approaches, CalExit is honored to attend this year's convention to educate delegates and elected officials on why our mission best serves the economic and general interests of all Californians," said Dr. Mitchell. "We thank Dr. Kathleen Harmon, who joins us as the CalExit Initiative Committee Chair, for her lifelong commitment to community activism and for helping us secure this opportunity." Ruiz Evans, who founded the initiative in 2014, said the movement's presence at the convention reflects growing momentum. "The movement has been steadily growing over the last 10 years. Attending the California Democratic Convention is a milestone because it allows CalExit to present its secession plan directly to the state's leadership," said Ruiz Evans. Dr. Harmon expressed gratitude for the recognition and reaffirmed her support for the initiative. "It has been a pleasure to work with Dr. Xavier Mitchell over the years," said Dr. Harmon. "His commitment to strengthening our communities and business sectors aligns with CalExit's vision for an independent California. I'm excited to join as the CalExit Initiative Committee Chair." About CalExitCalExit is a political and economic initiative seeking to establish California as an independent nation. Through a robust media strategy, statewide tour events, and a rapidly growing coalition of volunteers, donors, and investors, CalExit aims to restore local control, economic justice, and self-governance to more than 39 million Californians. Call to ActionBe part of the the future with CNT. Connect with CalExitWebsite: and NFTs: For media inquiries, please contact:Billy Johnson, & Repertoire(661) 607-2610billy@ View the original release on Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
KTLA+ expands consumer coverage with new streaming show featuring David Lazarus
Californians have a powerful new tool in their fight for fair deals and informed buying decisions. David Lazarus, known for his daily consumer reports on KTLA 5 News, has a new weekly program, 'Consumer Confidential with David Lazarus,' streaming exclusively on the free KTLA+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and Samsung Smart TVs. This weekly program takes the consumer advocacy that Lazarus is known for to the next level, with a comprehensive look at the latest trends impacting U.S. consumers, in-depth analysis of unfair business practices, and insight into personal finances matters. 'Our streaming show provides a great way for viewers to catch up on some of the daily Consumer Confidential segments they may have missed,' Lazarus explained. 'It's also a chance to see more in-depth reports on a wide variety of topics.' The show also features unique and exclusive content viewers won't see anywhere else. This includes segments like 'Laz's Top 3,' where he breaks down big topics and offers his expert tips on the issue, and 'Ask Laz,' providing viewers a direct opportunity to send their questions to David. 'I'm really proud of this. KTLA has the best consumer/financial coverage among local TV stations, and the streaming show serves as a showcase for the news and information we bring to viewers. And if we serve up a few laughs as well, that just ices the cake,' Lazarus said. 'Consumer Confidential with David Lazarus' streams on Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., and Sundays at 5 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. You can also watch segments and full episodes on demand on KTLA+. Before joining KTLA, David Lazarus was a business columnist for the Los Angeles Times from August 2007 to January 2022, specializing in consumer issues. Prior to that, he served as a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle and a nightly talk radio host for San Francisco's KGO Radio, also working for The San Francisco Examiner, The Bangkok Post, and The Japan Times. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
