A new California ballot proposal is targeting insurance companies. The goal is to prevent them from denying doctor-recommended care. It aims to stop insurers from delaying or altering treatments that could harm patients and instead would give doctors more power in coverage decisions. Insurers could face triple damages for violations. Critics of the bill say it’s too broad and could result in lawsuits. Supporters will need to collect nearly 550 thousand signatures by November to put it on the 2026 ballot.
The Lake County Board of Supervisors has chosen Dr. Robert Bernstein to be Lake County’s next Public Health Officer, effective September 2. Dr. Bernstein, who’s a medical doctor, is also certified as a specialist in Public Health and Preventive Medicine and holds a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. Recently, he served as a medical consultant for the California Department of Public Health and has held leadership positions with State and County Agencies in Florida and in Butte and Tuolumne Counties. Health Services Director Anthony Arton says the Board is pleased to welcome "a leader who brings both expertise and a strong public health perspective.” For his part, Bernstein says he’s excited to get to know the community and work with the Board of Supervisors and Director Arton and the entire Health Services team.
Gabriel Madrigal, a Willits graduate, is one of the newest California Highway Patrol officers and he’s been assigned to the CHP’s Ukiah Area office. He was a Corrections Deputy for the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office before switching over to the CHP Academy, and graduating from cadet training. The Ukiah Daily Journal says with his new job, he gets one of those new, low-profile SUV patrol vehicles to patrol in. So, watch your speed!
