WASHINGTON — A divided Supreme Court on Monday allowed the Trump administration to put in place new rules that could jeopardize permanent resident status for immigrants who use food stamps, Medicaid and housing vouchers. Under the new policy, immigration officials can deny green cards to legal immigrants over their use...
California Feud With Trump Could Impact Budget Surplus
SACRAMENTO — California is bracing for a much smaller budget surplus next year because of its ongoing feud with the Trump administration about a tax involving Medicaid, the state's chief budget writer said Monday. California is projected to have a $7 billion surplus, with $3 billion of it available to...
No More Menthol Cigarettes: New Ban on Tobacco, Vape Flavors
BOSTON — Massachusetts’ governor signed into law Wednesday a groundbreaking ban on the sale of flavored tobacco and vaping products, including menthol cigarettes. Republican Gov. Charlie Baker’s signature makes Massachusetts the first to enact a permanent statewide ban, anti-smoking groups said. It immediately bans the sale of flavored vaping products...
New Rules Can Deny Green Cards for Immigrants on Food Stamps
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced Monday that it is moving ahead with one of its most aggressive steps to restrict legal immigration, denying green cards to many immigrants who use Medicaid, food stamps, housing vouchers or other forms of public assistance. Federal law already requires those seeking green cards...
California OKs Benefits to Immigrants in Country Illegally
SACRAMENTO — California has become the first state to offer taxpayer-funded health benefits to young adults living in the country illegally. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law on Tuesday that makes low-income adults age 25 and younger eligible for the state's Medicaid program regardless of their immigration status. State...
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...
California Considers Health Care for Immigrants in US Illegally
SACRAMENTO — Lilian Serrano's mother-in-law had lots of stomach problems, but she always blamed food. Doctors at a San Diego-area clinic suspected Genoveva Angeles might have cancer, but they could not say for sure because they did not have the equipment to test for it and Angeles, who had been...
Should the Able-Bodied Be Required to Work to Get Medicaid?
Progressive activists opposed to Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults are trying to use the courts to stop the new policy in states like Kentucky, Arkansas, and New Hampshire. One of the plaintiffs is a New Hampshire man who says he can’t meet work requirements because they interfere with his “choice...
Senators Grill Pharmaceutical CEOs About High Drug Prices
WASHINGTON — Senators grilled CEOs of seven major drug companies on Tuesday over high prescription drug prices that are a drain on Medicare and Medicaid and a burden to millions of Americans. The extraordinary public accounting was a sign that Congress and the White House are moving toward legislation this...
Justices Won’t Hear States’ Appeal Over Planned Parenthood
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday avoided a high-profile case by rejecting appeals from Kansas and Louisiana in their effort to strip Medicaid money from Planned Parenthood, over the dissenting votes of three justices. The court's order reflected a split among its conservative justices and an accusation from Justice...