California Weekly Roundup: Low-Cost Insulin Off To Slow Start

Plus: What will happen to a vacant hospital lot; gender-affirming care in Alameda County; mental health concerns aboard the USS Lincoln; street medicine expands in OC; special education cuts in Santa Rosa schools; and more ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

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Sign Up Wednesday, August 19, 2026 Visit KFF Health News for the latest California headlines California Weekly Roundup THIS WEEK'S FEATURE  Newsom Promotes Affordable Insulin, but California’s Generic Label Off to a Slow Start  (Angela Hart / KFF Health News) By Angela Hart     SAN FRANCISCO — At a Walgreens in this city’s bustling Japantown neighborhood, pharmacist Margaret On stocks two boxes of long-acting insulin pens from California’s new prescription drug label, CalRx, emblazoned with the state’s iconic grizzly bear.    Although she hasn’t dispensed any, On plans to keep them on hand. “It’s good to have if a patient comes in and doesn’t have health insurance,” she said. “Or just in case of emergencies.”    Seven months after the launch of its own low-cost insulin brand, state health officials said California has distributed more than 120,000 five-pen packs of insulin glargine priced at $55 each, significantly less than the $89 to $411 that the state says most popular brand names charge before any retail markups or consumer discounts.    While it represents a tiny amount of the state’s insulin pipeline, it marks the first time a state is competing against the three biggest insulin drugmakers — Eli Lilly, Sanofi, and Novo Nordisk — under its own prescription drug label. CalRx, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s experimental initiative, has dual aims: to act as an emergency supplier for people who are uninsured or can’t afford their prescriptions, and to disrupt the nation’s deep-pocketed pharmaceutical industry, which cost the U.S. $467 billion in 2024, the federal government reported in June.    Newsom, a Democrat considering a presidential run in 2028, is expected to make healthcare a central pillar of his national platform as he concludes his second and final term as governor. To create the state brand of generic drugs, California inked a $50 million contract with Civica, a Utah-based nonprofit drugmaker, to develop the CalRx insulin, known as a biosimilar. Though major distributors make the drug available in pharmacies around the state, uptake has been limited.    Newsom’s goal is to saturate the insulin market and offer generic versions of drugs either high in cost or low in supply, or that can improve public health. The state is also distributing free naloxone, used in a nasal spray to reverse opioid overdoses, and trying to bring albuterol inhalers to public schools for students with asthma emergencies. In the next two years, the state plans to launch epinephrine injectables, commonly known by the brand name EpiPen, which are used to treat severe allergic reactions, as well as a state-branded medication to treat tuberculosis.    Before he leaves office in January, Newsom said, he wants to add generic GLP-1 medications to compete with brand-name drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. The drugs have exploded in popularity, but employers have raised concerns about their cost.    Read the full story. Follow us online for more KFF Health News coverage: Top Health Headlines From Around California Healthcare Industry CalMatters: ‘There Is Nothing Else’: Californians Face Eviction As Insurer Cancels Assisted Living Benefit Thousands of California families are facing abrupt cancellations of coverage for assisted living as insurer Health Net adjusts the benefits it provides. (Hwang, 8/17)   The San Diego Union-Tribune: El Cajon Leaders Considering Potential Acquisition Of Kaiser’s Vacant Hospital Lot Citing longtime delays, officials are mulling their legal options to force progress on Kaiser Permanente’s vacant 25-acre site long planned for a regional hospital. (Elsmore, 8/17)   The Oaklandside: Healthcare Jobs Are Booming In California. This OUSD Program Is Building A Pipeline The district received a $500,000 grant from Sutter Health to expand training opportunities for EMTs, nursing assistants, and emergency room technicians. (McBride, 8/17)   Southern California News Group: Locally Trained Midwives Are ‘Untapped Resource’ Amid OB-GYN Shortage Cal State Fullerton offers one of the only midwife training programs in the state, and the only master's program for nurse-midwives on the West Coast. (Fobar, 8/14)   Daily Democrat: Corner Drug Co. In Woodland Turns Vandalized Storefront Into Opportunity For Unity “To the person that did this: we can fix a window but you will always be broken,” wrote Erik Daniells, owner of the Corner Drug Co. Pharmacy. (Heeden, 8/17) Gender-Affirming Care The Oaklandside: Alameda County Officials Approve $1.5M For Gender-Affirming Care, LGBTQ Health The Board of Supervisors greenlighted the funding amid federal threats to transgender care. (Wolfe, 8/14)   Bay Area Reporter: Point Of Pride Opens Trans Health Funding Trans people in need of gender-affirming and wellness services can now apply to the Point of Pride’s Thrive Fund. (Laird, 8/18) Mental Health Capital & Main: Mental Health Workers Say Algorithmic Triage Is Hurting Patients Workers and policymakers are pushing for safeguards around AI’s use in health care through collective bargaining and legislation. (Romeo, 8/18)   TheSan Diego Union-Tribune: San Diego Congressional Reps Ask For Investigation Into USS Abraham Lincoln Deployment The Democratic legislators are asking for a review of the conditions on the aircraft carrier as well as information about the sailors' access to mental health support. (Lunetta, 8/17)   The Sacramento Bee: Bill For Health Inspections Of Detention Facilities Halted Senate Bill 995, known as the Masuma Khan Justice Act, would have mandated adherence to occupational safety and health regulations in an effort to address reported deficiencies in access to mental health and medical care. (Williams, 8/17) Homelessness The Orange County Register: CalOptima’s Street Medicine Program Expands To Four More OC Cities Starting as soon as next summer, providers will drive through neighborhoods, reaching out to and treating unhoused individuals in those communities from vans outfitted with medical equipment. (Wang, 8/18)   Palo Alto Daily Post: City May Put The Homeless In City Buildings During Inclement Weather Palo Alto City Manager Ed Shikada wants to expand a program that allows the homeless to sleep in more city-owned buildings, churches or nonprofit spaces during storms and also when it’s hot. (Cartwright, 8/17)   Manteca/Ripon Bulletin: Homeless Numbers In SJ County Plunge 30 Percent In 2 Years San Joaquin County’s homeless population is down 30 percent since 2024. (Wyatt, 8/13) Education and Youths The (Santa Rosa) Press Democrat: Deep Cuts To Special Education Programs Mark New Era At Santa Rosa City Schools The roughly 100 students who had been enrolled in a special day class for students with special needs will be relocated. (Gutierrez, 8/15)   Healdsburg Tribune: A Safe Space For Students Under Stress The High School Wellness Center faces a significant threat due to school district budget cuts that have eliminated the full-time intake coordinator position. This role is essential for keeping the center open during school hours to meet the needs of Healdsburg students. (8/12)   Santa Cruz Sentinel: Cabrillo College Human Services Program Receives Statewide Accreditation The Human Services program offers pathways in general human services, as well as drug and alcohol studies to prepare students for careers in behavioral health, social services, addiction treatment, child welfare and other fields. (Gillette, 8/14)   KQED: Kennedy High Clears Toxic-Vapor Test In Time For First Day Back State testing shows no sign that classroom air is polluted with a carcinogenic dry-cleaning solvent found in soil beneath the Richmond campus. (Ali-Ahmad, 8/17)   The Mendocino Voice: Potter Valley Elementary School’s Water Fix Finally Comes Together Bacteria made the school’s well unsafe. The district paid the price while the state spent hundreds of thousands on studies. (Coryell, 8/17)   Santa Monica Daily Press: Santa Monica Teen Launches Program Pairing Teens With Seniors This fall, 15-year-old New Roads School sophomore Kyleigh Belle Butler will launch the Belle's Moments program at two senior living communities — Ivy Park Santa Monica and Westmont Culver City — pairing student volunteers with residents in an effort to reduce loneliness among older adults. (Alin, 8/17) Disabilities VC Star: Camarillo Woman Who Woke Up Paralyzed Helps Others Regain Power Julienne Dallara struggled with denial when she was suddenly paralyzed 30 years ago. Now she advocates for the disabled. (Kisken, 8/17)   Imperial Valley Press Online: ‘They Just Ignore Me’: 15-Year Fight For Sidewalk Ramps Highlights Accessibility Divide In El Centro In a neighborhood home to many elderly residents, the absence of ADA-compliant ramps has turned routine trips to nearby Zapata Park or medical appointments into hazardous obstacle courses. (Bojorquez, 8/15) Public Health San Francisco Chronicle: California Keeps Childhood Vaccine Rules Despite Trump Order California will keep its childhood vaccine recommendations, school rules and insurance coverage despite Trump’s order calling for fewer shots. (Ho, 8/13)   San Francisco Chronicle: COVID Is Surging In California. Should You Get Vaccinated Now? California’s COVID activity is again peaking higher in summer than winter, prompting officials to urge some residents not to wait for the fall vaccine update. (Ho, 8/13)   Santa Barbara Independent: Sutter Health Confirms Measles Case At One Of Its Facilities In Santa Barbara County According to Independent sources, at least one cancer patient had been exposed to a measles patient at the Ridley Tree Cancer Center. (Welsh, 8/14)   VC Star: Connection Found In Ventura County, Santa Barbara County Measles Cases A Ventura County resident and a Santa Barbara County resident who each tested positive for measles were on the same international flight, state officials confirmed. (Kisken, 8/18)   Chico Enterprise-Record: Butte County Confirms First West Nile Death Of The Year The first person who died locally this year from the West Nile virus, confirmed by Butte County Public Health, was between 80 and 90. (Hutchison, 8/13)   Appeal-Democrat: Health Officials Confirm Human West Nile Infections In Yuba And Sutter Counties Yuba County confirmed the first case of West Nile Virus within its borders this year on Friday. Today, Sutter added that it had a case, too. (8/17)   The San Diego Union-Tribune: Salmonella Outbreak Grows To 21 Cases, Seven Hospitalizations A Ramona poultry ranch was named as source of raw eggs used to make mayonnaise linked to infections. (Sisson, 8/17) Substance Abuse San Francisco Examiner: San Francisco Sees Fewest Overdose Deaths On Record In July There were 34 accidental overdose deaths recorded in July — 34.6% fewer than in the same month last year — bringing this year’s total so far to 296. (Gurevich, 8/14)   The San Diego Union-Tribune: UCSD Receives $12 Million Grant To Study Link Between Meth Use And HIV Studies have shown that methamphetamine use significantly increases the risk of HIV infection, especially among men who have unprotected sex with other men. (Sisson, 8/17) Other California News     Santa Monica Daily Press: Santa Monica Approves $9.2M Human Services Grants Program Operating for more than 50 years, the program is the city's single largest source of funds for local nonprofits and underwrites a social safety net serving residents from infancy to old age. (Alin, 8/17)   Manteca/Ripon Bulletin: 67% Yes Vote: Ripon Fire Parcel Tax Passes Ripon Consolidated Fire District will be doubling its frontline firefighting personnel and be able to reduce response times to many emergency calls starting as early as February. (Wyatt, 8/15)   Southern California News Group: Audit: Former OC Health Care Chief Dismissed Staff Concerns About Contracts Linked To Andrew Do A new independent audit on contracts linked to ex-Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do called out former OC Health Care Agency Director Dr. Clayton Chau and former CEO Frank Kim for doing little to investigate staff concerns over potential conflicts with an organization employing Do’s daughter. (Saavedra and Wang, 8/12)   Bay Area News Group: Meta Goes On Trial In Oakland Over Alleged Harms To Children, With Up To $1.4 Trillion At Stake States want the company to remove allegedly addictive features, limit minors’ use and delete data collected from children under 13. (Baron, 8/18) This Week's 'KFF Health News Minute' Many people with disabilities fear that a new Justice Department legal opinion could roll back protections that have given them access to in-home care. 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