State officials are fond of giving their high-concept — and expensive — new programs snappy, one-word acronyms derived from much-longer and often awkward official titles. Thus, for example, the Financial Information System for California is shortened to become FI$Cal. Unfortunately, officials are often more adept at dreaming up names for...
South Valley Man Arrested for Marketing Herbal Mixtures as COVID Treatment
A Porterville man has been arrested on charges that he fraudulently marketed and sold herbal mixtures as FDA approved treatments for COVID-19. Huu Tieu, 58, is charged with mail fraud and introducing a misbranded drug into interstate commerce with the intent to defraud. A grand jury indicted Tieu on July 9...
Walters: Newsom’s High-Stakes Medi-Cal Overhaul
The old adage about tiny acorns growing into mighty oak trees is not confined to dendrology. It applies as well to governmental programs and there’s no better example than Medi-Cal, California’s program of health care for the poor. An addendum to the landmark federal legislation creating Medicare coverage for the...
Former Merced Healthcare CEO Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison
A former Merced healthcare executive is headed to federal prison for five years for fraud. U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. O’Neil handed Sandra Haar, 59, the prison sentence and ordered her to pay $6.1 million in restitution Monday in a Fresno courtroom. Haar was ordered to self-surrender Jan. 15 to begin...
In Fresno, Legislators Hear Solutions to Doctor Shortages
Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into a law a bill that will allow illegal immigrants between the ages of 19-25 to receive Medi-Cal benefits. That will add an estimated 90,000 to the California health care rolls, at a cost of $98 million to taxpayers. Where will the doctors come...
As California Pays Their Student Loans, Doctors Agree to Treat Poorer Patients
It’s a trade aimed at getting more doctors to treat poorer patients: California this week said it will help repay the student loans of 247 selected doctors in exchange for their promise that at least 30 percent of their caseload will be people enrolled in Medi-Cal. The $60 million student...
Video: All You Need to Know About State Budget in 2 Minutes
A few things about summertime in California have become utterly predictable: cineplex superheroes, beach crowds, and a record-setting state budget. Two years ago, we told you the state’s budget hit $180 billion—and that with that money you could buy the Los Angeles Lakers 60 times over. Last summer, the state budget set...
California May Take Bold Step to Insure Undocumented. Too Pricey or About Time?
As California moves closer than ever to offering free health care to low-income, undocumented adults — at a potential cost of $1 billion — battle lines are being drawn about who should benefit and who ultimately will pay the price. On the surface, the arguments are familiar, with supporters insisting...
The Miguel And Garry Show Continues At City Hall
Sometimes, Fresno councilmen Miguel Arias and Garry Bredefeld can’t help trolling each other live on the dais or on Twitter. Whether it is battles over policy or personal potshots, the Miguel and Garry Show has been one of more entertaining parts of the council’s legislative year. This week, the two...
Sen. Hurtado's First Bill Aims to Help Asthma Sufferers
Low-income Central Valley residents suffering from asthma may gain access to resources to help manage the chronic lung disease. Newly elected state Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) has introduced her first piece of legislation in Senate Bill 207, which aims to expand asthma prevention services to low-income families. The legislation is significant....