KFF Health News

California Healthline is a service of the California Health Care Foundation produced by KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation.

California state Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson is a practicing physician, a mother, a member of the Senate Health Committee, and the head of the California Legislative Black Caucus. The Democrat says one of her biggest priorities this year is maintaining health care coverage for
the state’s most vulnerable, including children and those with chronic conditions. (Christine Mai-Duc/KFF Health News)

Q&A with State Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson

May 13, 2025 at 10:43 a.m.

As California’s budget deadline looms, a physician-turned-lawmaker says state leaders may soon have to make some tough decisions on health care spending.

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI – NOVEMBER 07: Derra Dukes, 74, waits to provide directions to voters at the Timberlawn Elementary School on November 07, 2023 in Jackson, Mississippi. “One of the biggest issues here is the closure of hospitals and the Medicaid expansion. I can’t speak for the entire Black race, but I can tell you that Black people are dissatisfied with the way things are. We want progression, for all the people. You can’t just help Blacks and don’t help whites; you can’t just help whites and not help Blacks…The way we feel now is that we want everyone to progress together. We love Mississippi, but we don’t want to stay at the bottom forever,” said Dukes. After months of candidates campaigning, the state of Mississippi is voting today in the Governor’s race between Gov. Tate Reeves and Democratic challenger Brandon Presley, a second cousin of Elvis Presley. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

States poised to end coverage for millions if Trump cuts Medicaid funding

December 4, 2024 at 10:47 a.m.

More than 3 million adults in nine states would be at immediate risk of losing their health coverage should the GOP reduce the extra federal Medicaid funding that’s enabled states...

Gerri Norington, of Chicago, never wanted to wind up on her own as she grew older. But she has lived alone since 2006, when a five-year relationship ended. In 2016, she started an organization ithat sponsored speed dating and monthly socials for single Black seniors in Chicago. (Taylor Glascock / For KFF Health News)

Historic numbers of Americans are living by themselves as they age

October 8, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.

More than 16 million solo agers face risks amid onset of health problems and lack of at home

Cori Lint has premenstrual dysphoric disorder, known as PMDD, which is a negative reaction in the brain to natural hormonal changes in the week or two before a menstrual period. Even as Lint struggles to find medicine that brings relief from symptoms, including, at the extreme, panic attacks and suicidal thoughts, she says tracking her cycle has helped. (Michael Noble Jr. / For KFF Health News)

Beyond PMS: A poorly understood disorder means periods of despair for some women

August 13, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, means periods of despair for some women that can be life-altering. But because few researchers study the condition, the cause of PMDD is something of...

Senior woman sitting in wheelchair in bedroom, wearing pajamas and slippers and looking away

Should you bring mom home from assisted living during the pandemic?

April 2, 2020 at 1:29 p.m.

Dr. Alison Webb took her 81-year-old father out of assisted living, to live.Coleen Hubbard took her 85-year-old mother out of independent living, to die.With the coronavirus moving through facilities that...

Gloria Brown is the primary caregiver for her husband, Arthur, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease four years ago. She estimates she has spent roughly $72,000 on caregivers, medications and supplies.

California among states considering caregiver tax credits

March 27, 2019 at 8:30 p.m.

Gloria Brown didn’t get a good night’s sleep. Her husband, Arthur Brown, 79, has Alzheimer’s disease and had spent most of the night pacing their bedroom, opening and closing drawers,...

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