Special Episode: California Health Care – The Impact of H. R. 1

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 09.28.2026

California Health Care, Panel 1: The Impact of H. R. 1. L-R: Rich Ehisen, Capitol Weekly; Tam Ma, Health Policy and Regulatory Affairs, UC Office of the President; Katie Rodriguez, California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems; Tam Ma, UC Office of the President; Ben Avey, WellSpace Health; Christine Smith, Health Access; Josh Stehlik, California Immigrant Policy Center. Photo by Joha Harrison, Capitol Weekly.

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: This Special Episode of the Capitol Weekly Podcast was recorded live at California Health Care which was held in Sacramento on September 23, 2026. This is Panel 1: The Impact of H. R. 1. Our panelists are: Ben Avey, WellSpace Health; Tam Ma, UC Office of the President; Katie Rodriguez, California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems; Christine Smith, Health Access; Josh Stehlik, California Immigrant Policy Center. The panel was moderated by Rich Ehisen, Capitol Weekly.

News

Lawsuit that prompted better care for mentally ill inmates ends

Dr. Katherine Warburton, Statewide Medical Director and Deputy Director of Clinical Operations for the California Department of State Hospitals, center. Kirsten Barlow, left, Lois Cross and Michelle Doty Cabrera on the right. From California Health Care, Panel 3: Behavioral Health. Photo by Joha Harrison, Capitol Weekly.

by DAN MORAIN posted 09.27.2026

An 11-year lawsuit that helped transform how California cares for people who have committed crimes and struggle with mental illness has come to a quiet conclusion. In a five-page order issued last Monday, Judge S. Raj Chatterjee of Contra Costa County wrote that the state created a new treatment program for people who are arrested and deemed to be incompetent to stand trial, added more than 2,000 state hospital beds to care for them, and secured a permanent source of funding.

News

CW Q&A: CPCA’s Francisco Silva

Francisco Silva. Photo by Joha Harrison, Capitol Weekly

by RICH EHISEN posted 09.28.2026

Community clinics are a vital part of California’s healthcare provider network. But massive federal spending cuts are threatening their ability to continue serving their communities. We sat down with California Primary Care Association President and CEO Francisco Silva to discuss the future of these critical healthcare resources.

Opinion

Gov. Newsom has one last chance to rein in wildfire costs on our electric bills

Image by Olga Demina, iStock Images.

by MARK TONEY posted 09.28.2026

Two electricity affordability bills sitting on Gov. Newsom’s desk — SB 905 and SBl 1098 — would deliver real relief on wildfire costs.

Micheli Minute

The Micheli Minute, September 28, 2026

by CAPITOL WEEKLY STAFF posted 09.28.2026

Lobbyist, author and McGeorge law professor Chris Micheli offers a quick look at what’s coming up this week under the Capitol Dome.

News

CW Q&A: CHA’s Carmela Coyle

Carmela Coyle. Photo by Joha Harrison, Capitol Weekly.

by RICH EHISEN posted 09.25.2026

Longtime California Hospital Association President and CEO Carmela Coyle is retiring at the end of this year. We sat down with her recently to discuss challenges hospitals are facing in light of massive federal funding cuts over the next two years.

Opinion

Why I support PACE — a compassionate and cost-effective model of care

Image by seb_ra, iStock Images.

by JOSÉ LUIS SOLACHE, JR. posted 09.28.2026

PACE is one of the most compassionate and cost-effective models of care California offers.

News

Panelists describe grim scenario at CW’s annual health conference

California Health Care, Panel 2: Aging and Elder Care. L-R: Robin Epley, Sacramento Bee; Dr. Lindsey Yourman, UC San Diego Health; Dr. Sarita Mohanty, SCAN Foundation; Hagar Dickman, Justice in Aging; Susan DeMarois, Leading Age. Photo by Joha Harrison, Capitol Weekly.

by BRIAN JOSEPH posted 09.23.2026

Panelists explored the state of healthcare in California today at Capitol Weekly’s annual conference on the topic Wednesday, describing a challenging time for providers and patients alike with little optimism for the near future. “People will fall through the cracks.”