Ana B. Ibarra

Ana B. Ibarra was a reporter for KFF Health News until February 2020.

@ab_ibarra

Hey, Hey! Ho, Ho! Is Striking For School Nurses The Way To Go?

KFF Health News Original

Inspired by Los Angeles teachers, who were promised 300 more school nurses after striking last month, unions in Denver, Oakland, Calif., and beyond are demanding more school nurses or better compensation for them.

New Covered California Sign-Ups Plummet

KFF Health News Original

Even though the number of people renewing their Covered California health plans increased this year, new enrollment plunged by nearly a quarter compared with last year, posting a bigger drop than the federal health insurance exchange, healthcare.gov, which saw a 16 percent decrease. Officials largely blame the elimination of the federal tax penalty for people without insurance.

Providers Walk ‘Fine Line’ Between Informing And Scaring Immigrant Patients

KFF Health News Original

Some doctors and clinics are proactively informing patients about a proposed policy that could jeopardize the legal status of immigrants who use public benefit programs such as Medicaid. Others argue that because this “public charge” proposal isn’t final — and may never be adopted — disseminating too much information could create unnecessary alarm and cause some patients to drop benefits.

Newsom Diverges Sharply From Washington With Health Care Budget

KFF Health News Original

California Gov. Gavin Newsom made health care a priority in his proposed state budget, asking lawmakers to authorize state-funded financial aid for health insurance, impose a penalty on uninsured Californians and expand Medicaid coverage to unauthorized immigrants.

Newsom Comes Out Swinging On Day One For Single-Payer, Immigrant Coverage

KFF Health News Original

Just hours into his tenure as California’s new governor, Democrat Gavin Newsom proposed major plans to insure more Californians, including state-funded financial aid for health insurance and a requirement for Californians to have coverage.

No-Go On Drunken Driving: States Deploy Breathalyzers In Cars To Limit Road Deaths

KFF Health News Original

On New Year’s Day, California joined the majority of U.S. states that require people convicted of drunken driving to install ignition-linked breathalyzers in their vehicles. If the devices detect alcohol above a predetermined level, the cars don’t start.

The Year Of The Vape: Teen E-Cigarette Use Spikes

KFF Health News Original

More than a third of high school seniors said they have vaped in the past year — up nearly 10 percentage points from the previous year. The dramatic jump comes despite efforts by public health officials, educators and lawmakers to reverse the e-cigarette trend among youths, including a recent proposal to ban retail sales of flavored tobacco products in California.

For Wildfire Safety, Only Particular Masks Guard Against Toxic Particulate Matter

KFF Health News Original

As wildfires blaze in Northern and Southern California, millions of people outside of the burn zones are getting exposed to dangerous wildfire smoke. For those donning face masks for protection, only a specific mask will work.

Measure To Cap Dialysis Profits Pummeled After Record Spending By Industry

KFF Health News Original

The dialysis industry raised nearly $111 million in a successful bid to defeat the measure, which also was opposed by hospitals and doctors. The union that sponsored the measure collected about one-sixth that amount.

Children’s Hospitals Again Cry For Help From Voters. But Are They Really Hurting?

KFF Health News Original

California’s 13 children’s hospitals are asking voters in November to approve $1.5 billion in bonds to help them pay for construction and equipment, the third such measure in 14 years. Some health care experts and election analysts believe the repeated financial requests aren’t justified.

Bad Air And Inadequate Data Prove An Unhealthy Mix

KFF Health News Original

San Joaquin Valley residents breathe some of the dirtiest air in the country, but it can be a challenge for them to find accurate and timely information on the air quality in their neighborhoods. This summer, nonprofit organizations began distributing 20 small air monitors to hard-hit families, and next year, the state is expected to install monitoring systems in some communities.