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Anthem-Cigna deal tightens CA health care market

Anthem has made public its plans to acquire Cigna, tightening further California’s already narrow market for health insurance. “In a deal that would create the nation’s largest health insurer by enrollment, Anthem announced Friday that it made a $48 billion bid for rival Cigna,

Californians slash water use by 27.3 percent in June

Chris Nichols July 30, 2015

Motivated by a fourth year of drought — and mandatory water cuts — Californians reduced urban water use by 27.3 percent in June, compared with the same month two years ago, the state reported on Thursday. The results are the first since state-ordered

CA judge scraps assisted suicide suit

James Poulos July 30, 2015

In another potent setback for California’s right-to-die advocates, a judge threw out a lawsuit brought by three residents trying to compel the courts to scrap the state’s ban on assisted suicide. A reticent judge “San Diego Superior Court Judge Gregory

Bill rewrites state travel policy to include sharing economy

John July 30, 2015

Sacramento once again has its eye on the sharing economy. This year, state lawmakers have targeted ride-sharing companies and short-term accommodation services for more regulations that, some fear, could kill the burgeoning industry. But, at least one state lawmaker has

Poll: 64% of Californians link drought to global warming

Chris Nichols July 30, 2015

A strong majority of Californians say they support tougher limits on greenhouse gas emissions and more ambitious renewable energy goals to combat climate change, according to a statewide poll released late Wednesday. Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds of those surveyed said global

Newsom-led report pushes pot regulations

James Poulos July 29, 2015

Chairing a panel on California’s would-be approach to legal marijuana has tamped down his enthusiasm for pot permissiveness, said Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, as the blue-ribbon panel released a sweeping new report on the question. The commission included Stanford University professor

Critics warn drug mandate will increase health care costs

Dave Roberts July 28, 2015

A prescription drug bill, Assembly Bill 339, would save money for many with chronic medical conditions. But critics warn that it also will increase insurance premiums for everyone else and make it harder for insurers to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies

Medi-Cal boom squeezes CA health care

James Poulos July 27, 2015

Although California officials insisted that expanding Medi-Cal coverage has been an economic boon, critics and Sacramento Republicans warned that the program’s staggering growth has created a costly, nettlesome problem for a state already strapped with challenges. The Golden State has seen

Unlawful immigrants rush for CA drivers licenses

James Poulos July 26, 2015

Emerging statistics have revealed that California’s extension of drivers licenses to unlawful immigrants aroused unexpected demand — with no end in sight. “While state officials expected 1.4 million undocumented immigrants to apply for licenses in the first three years, in the first

Steinle killing shakes up Congress, CA

James Poulos July 25, 2015

With gripping yet measured words, Jim Steinle — whose daughter was recently slain in San Francisco by an unlawful immigrant released under the city’s rules — urged Congress to quickly pass new reforms. “While Steinle was careful to acknowledge that the