San Francisco Chronicle: California bans PFAS chemicals in baby products and food packaging

California on Tuesday became one of the first states to ban a class of harmful chemicals, known as PFAS, from food packaging and products for infants and children after Governor Gavin Newsom signed two bills. PFAS have been linked to reproductive issues, cancer and other health issues, and consumer and environmental groups say new laws will protect Californians from so-called “chemicals forever.” Because they stay in the body and the environment for years. (Duggan, 10/5)

In more California news –

San Francisco Chronicle: California shortens wait for terminally ill patients for assisted dying

Since California legalized assisted death more than five years ago, thousands of potentially terminally ill patients seeking deadly drugs have died before they were granted a prescription that would have allowed them to end their own life. on their own terms. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed legislation to reduce that barrier, shortening a mandatory waiting period for life-ending drugs during which advocates say many patients become too sick to continue the process. (Koseff, 10/5)

KQED: California bill would reduce wait times for mental health appointments

When Greta Christina fell into a deep depression five years ago, she called her therapist – someone she had had a great connection with when she needed therapy in the past. And she was delighted to learn that he was now on staff at Kaiser Permanente, her insurer, which meant she would no longer have to pay out of pocket to see him. But the excitement was short-lived. Over time, her dates went from every two weeks to every four, then every five or six. “Telling someone with severe, chronic, disabling depression that they can only see their therapist every five or six weeks is like telling someone with a broken leg that they cannot see. her physiotherapist only every five or six weeks, ”she said. “It’s not close enough. It’s not even close enough. (Dembosky, 10/5)

Los Angeles Times: Newsom approves laws to overhaul California’s unemployment benefit system

Faced with criticism from many Californians laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday gave his approval to a package of bills aimed at reducing delays and fraud in the beleaguered unemployment benefit system of State. The legislation was enacted less than a month after Newsom repelled an attempted recall in which those seeking to revoke it cited issues such as long waits for unemployment benefits for hundreds of thousands of Californians unemployed. (McGreevy, 10/5)

In updates from Kentucky, Alaska, Florida and elsewhere –

AP: Health coverage opens via state-based exchange on November 1

The return of the Kentucky state-run health insurance swap will end on November 1, when consumers can start using it to apply for health coverage for the coming year. Retaining its original name kynect, the state-run web portal will allow Kentuckians to apply for coverage and complete their registration. Starting October 15, consumers can log into the portal to compare state-run health insurance plans before enrollment. (10/6)

Anchorage Daily News: Anchorage Assembly and Mayor’s Team Introduce New Roaming Compromise

Members of the Anchorage Assembly and the administration of Mayor Dave Bronson have launched a new compromise plan to tackle homelessness in Anchorage, which would create multiple shelter and smaller housing options targeting sub- sets of the homeless population. “Frankly, this is a better plan than the one we presented a few months ago,” John Morris, the city’s homeless coordinator, said at a meeting of the task force on homelessness. shelter held Tuesday afternoon in the Anchorage Assembly Halls. “I think this is a great way to go. (Thériault’s boots, 10/5)

Health News Florida: Oncologist Says Casey DeSantis Cancer Diagnosis Highlights Early Detection and Treatment

Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, 41, has been diagnosed with breast cancer, according to her husband, Governor Ron DeSantis. Dr Danielle Henry, a surgical breast oncologist with the Orlando health care system, says breast cancer occurs in younger women, but is very rare. Henry adds that early detection and treatment improves outcomes for women and men diagnosed with breast cancer at any age. Henry says that’s why it’s crucial that women, especially black women who are at risk of being diagnosed with more aggressive breast cancer, have mammograms starting at age 40. (Prior, 10/5)

CIDRAP: Leafy vegetable outbreaks among cyclospora cases this season

In a latest annual update on cases of Cyclospora contracted in the country, which typically increase during warmer months, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said 1,020 cases in 36 states had been reported, including 170 related to two large multi-state outbreaks associated with restaurants. or events. One epidemic in several states involved 40 diseases and the other resulted in 130 infections. For both, traceback investigations suggested leafy greens, but no specific producer or type of leafy greens was identified. In the past, Cyclospora outbreaks have been linked to a variety of commodities, including basil, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, and snow peas. In 2020, several outbreaks were reported that involved a variety of products, including a bagged salad mix. (10/5)

In the Kansas News –

Kansas City Star: Many Struggles for Accessible and Independent Living in Kansas City

Over the past six years, Tony Waterhouse-Leal has found ways to navigate his tiny apartment – and the Kansas City neighborhoods around it. It was trial and error. Cooking, cleaning and going to the pharmacy near his home in Northland are all challenges for the 42-year-old man with cerebral palsy who uses a motorized wheelchair to get around. He sometimes has to dodge the traffic in the street when there is no sidewalk. At home, his tall wardrobes are unnecessarily out of reach, the walls marked and dented where he struggles to cross narrow passages. (Louksch, 10/6)

Kansas City Star: Rebekah Taussig’s tips for making cities accessible to people with disabilities

“The vast majority of people without disabilities don’t see – and certainly don’t feel – the experiences of people with disabilities. “This line from Kansas City author Rebekah Taussig’s memoir, ‘Sitting Pretty’ succinctly sums up her experience living in the metro area as a person with a disability using a wheelchair. Taussig, who grew up in Overland Park, lives in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood of Kansas City, Kansas, with her husband, Micah, and young son, Otto. She spoke to The Star about her experience navigating the city with a disability and how citizens, business owners and city leaders can make Kansas City a more accessible place for everyone. (Sage, 10/6)