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By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

In less than two months, Californians will vote on Proposition (Prop) 32. This voter guide is one in a series of articles that will help you understand what supporters and opponents of each of California’s 10 ballot initiatives are saying about each one.

Prop 34 would permanently allow Medi-Cal, California’s version of the federal Medicaid program, to pay pharmacies directly for prescription drugs.

California started doing this in 2019 after Gov. Newsom signed an executive order allowing the payments. This initiative would codify the executive order into state law. The measure would also require healthcare providers to spend almost all the money (98%) they get from a federal prescription drug program directly on patient care — instead of having the leverage to use it on other things.

Prop 34 would increase the money that comes to California for Medi-Cal prescription drugs with a matching federal subsidy. However, it will restrict healthcare organizations and non-profits from spending that money on other health care-related social services.

Supporters of the proposition argue that, if approved, providers would be held accountable for their spending and provide more affordable care to individuals who need it. California Black Media (CBM) spoke to Elizabeth Helms, President and CEO of the California Chronic Care Coalition (CCCC), who has endorsed a YES vote for Prop 34.

The CCCC is an alliance of multiple patient organizations and provider groups with a focus on access to quality, affordable health care, wellness and prevention, and coordinated care.

“We are patient-centric,” said Helms. “We care that people are able to access the care that they need, including their medications, seeing physicians. And when we see that not happening, or we start hearing it from the field that (people are) having problems, (people) can’t do this, (people) can’t afford this, (people) can’t get timely care; you know, (people are) having to choose food over medicine or all these other things. Proposition 34 is important. Especially to people who need care, who can’t get it.”

Some of those opposed to the proposition argue that the only reason it is on the ballot is to personally target The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and its CEO Michael Weinstein, who supports rent control legislation. The California Apartment Association Issues Committee has provided $21.3 million in campaign support for the measure.

CBM spoke to David Kline, Vice President of Communications & Research at California Taxpayers Association who supports a NO vote for Prop 34.

“This is 100% financed by billionaire landlords and the California Apartment Association, and they don’t have an interest in health care,” said Kline. “This is a revenge initiative, a revenge against AIDS Healthcare Foundation for supporting rent control. And they’ve been very explicit on their website and videos they’ve put out about that have had at. But they don’t mention the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in their argument because they know how popular the organization is. This is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

The proposition only applies to providers who spend at least $100 million on expenses other than direct care, that also own and operate buildings and that least 500 severe health and safety violations in the last 10 years. These stipulations have led many to believe it is aimed at The AIDS Healthcare Foundation because they are one of few organizations who meet these criteria

“(Passing Prop. 34) would have a terrifying chilling effect,” said Kline. “What organization, you know, nonprofit would be safe who was speaking truth to power? I mean, taking on these billionaires, if they knew that all that they had to do was to put something on the ballot to take away their nonprofit status and remove their licenses?”

When asked about their thoughts on the involvement of Prop 34 and a focus on Weinstein, the CCCC did not have a comment, reiterating that their focus is “100% on patients” and directing as much funding as possible to their wellbeing.

“The proposition does several things,” said Helms. It protects up to $2 billion in prescription drug rebates for the state of California annually. And these rebates will help offset the cost of the Medi-Cal program, protect access to critical services for millions of low-income patients. It prevents the worst abusers of the 340B program from misusing money that is supposed to be used to help patients.”

A YES vote on this proposition would require Organizations like the AHF to spend nearly all of their money only on healthcare and no other endeavors.

A NO vote would repeal the proposition and keep things the way they already are.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

For more than two weeks now, members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) have been facing sharp criticisms from frustrated advocates and other Black Californians after the State Assembly failed to bring up two reparations bills for a floor vote on August 31.

On Sept. 14, Assemblymembers Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), and Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) participated in the “State of Black California 2024: Listening Session Tour” in Sacramento. During the session they heard from people who said they felt let down that the bills did not pass the Legislature and advance to Newsom’s desk for his consideration.

The three-hour event was held at the Secretary of State’s office building, one block south of the State Capitol. Amid interruptions and disruptions from the attendees during the event, Bonta said she appreciated the feedback.

“I got out of it what I expected. We have a lot of diverse thoughts and opinions about how to proceed,” Bonta told California Black Media (CBM). “It was helpful to hear directly from people without the constraints of hearing rooms and formalities. I heard a lot of frustration and concerns. I also got out of it a call to action, as we shared, to do better and I am certainly committed to doing that.”

On Sept. 12, CLBC member Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) called-in to Dominique di Prima’s radio show on KBLA 1580 AM in Los Angeles to share her perspective on reasons the CLBC did not to bring the bills to the Assembly floor. She also shared that going forward there needs to be better communications with the community to ensure passage of bills in the future.

“I want to say that the CLBC has laid a strong foundation to build upon. I think what this experience, this dialogue we are in with our community has shown us that we need to address our communication channels,” Smallwood-Cuevas said. “I think we attempted to do that by having the State of (Black) California convening across California.”

The State of Black California Listening Session tour is a community conversation on reparations and the state of the Black community. The tour is an opportunity for the public to learn more about the 2024 legislative report that is an initiative of the University of California, Los Angeles’s Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies, and the reparations package.

In collaboration with the California Black Freedom Fund (CBFF) in partnership with the tour has made stops in San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Fresno. The next destinations for the Listening Session are Oakland on Sept. 28 and Moreno Valley on Oct. 5.

The CBFF is a five-year, $100 million initiative to ensure power building and “movement-based organizations” have the sustained investments and resources they need to eradicate systemic and institutional racism according to their website.

Marc Philpart, the Executive Director who oversees CBFF’s five-year-long initiative to raise and distribute $100 million, was the moderator in Sacramento.

Philpart, who has worked closely with the CLBC and whose organization was the benefactor of  $3.5 million in state funds last year, has also been under fire from advocates.

The night before the State of Black California event, Chris Lodgson, a reparations advocate and member of the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California (CJEC) questioned Philpart about allegations that the CBFF had been designated by the CLBC to receive $6 million in state funds, requested by the CLBC, to fund reparations legislation implementation.

(The CBFF granted CBM $25,000 of that money to fund its Capitol Correspondent.)

Lodgson asked Philpart,“What is your relationship to that funding” and whether CBFF has made any attempts to get any of the money.

“No, we don’t have any relationship with that,” Philpart told Lodgson at the meeting.

However, Lodgson asserted that he had a discussion with Smallwood-Cuevas and she confirmed that “there was a plan” to fund CBFF $6 million. Lodgson also shared with Philpart that he contacted Bradford’s office and was told that there was a letter sent to Newsom’s office from the CLBC that requested the Governor to direct $6 million to the proposed California African American Freedmen’s Affairs Agency (CAFAA) and $6 million to CBFF.

In a letter obtained by CBM and dated May 24, the CLBC requested that the state provide $6 million to assist funding efforts related to SB 1403 and direct the remaining $6 million to the CBFF. That CLBC letter stated that the money would be “utilized for community-level outreach and engagement efforts and to provide organizational support essential for the effective implementation of Reparations initiatives.”

“Yeah, there’s a letter with my organization’s name on it but it is not an agreement between our organization and the (Black) Caucus, or the legislature,” Philpart said.

In a telephone conversation with CBM, Philpart said CBFF was “not getting the money” and he “had no idea” what his organization would have been doing in terms of reparations implementation had it received any funds. He added that the CLBC can still decide where the funds could be directed to fulfill what it is intended for

“They have power. That is their discretion,” Philpart said. “They are lawmakers. and they have done the work to ensure that this money exists for (implementation) and they have decision-making authority over those dollars.”

Jackson said that the CLBC did make a collective decision to fund the agency and CBFF. Since the bills were held up with the expectations that will be brought during the next legislative session, Jackson said there will have to be another conversation among CLBC members about how the $12 million will be allocated.

“We still have to spend the $12 million,” Jackson said. “We have not gathered yet because we are all in our different districts right now to try to see what that $12 million looks like. Does it need to shift because things have shifted? Does our strategy need to shift? Those are the discussions we still have to have.”

Sunrise: 07/04/1952

Sunset: 08/26/2024

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body,  and to be present with the Lord.” – II Corinthians 5:8

Home Going Celebration

Friday, October 4, 2024

11:00am-1:00pm

Green Acres Memorial Park & Mortuary

11715 Cedar Avenue

Bloomington, California

Officiating: Dr. Jason Welsh Amazing Church, Lake Elsinore

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Social Lites Inc., have served in helping provide scholarships for African American young men for the past 60 years. This past year with the communities support they were able to award $70,000 in scholarship and awards to their 2024 Knights for their education. This year marks the 58th year of the Social Lites Inc. being in existence in the Inland Empire area. The new season is quickly approaching, and their target population is African American high school seniors in the Inland Empire area who are planning on attending secondary education.

The program provides mentoring, leadership, networking, and guidance our young men to ensure that they are college bound and equipped to succeed in life and to realize their full potential as young men, career professionals, entrepreneurs, and productive outstanding citizens.

Please reach out to the Beautillion Chair, Tina Darling, at (909) 644-5816 or Elsie Paulino (VP/Beautillion Chair) at (951) 205-8823 or Sheri Lewis our Social Lites, Inc., President at (909) 320-0799 or you can email ad_4beauknight@yahoo.com and we will respond within 48 hours upon receipt of your inquiry.  They meet at 468 West 5th Street Room #102 in San Bernardino, 92410 every Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

ETB Host Wallace Allen interviews Areva Martin, the attorney representing the Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors Group, and joining the discussion is the organization’s founder, Pearl Devers. The Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors are victims of what the 1968 report from the California Attorney General’s Office describes as “A city engineered holocaust”, as an estimated 200 African American homes were burned, bulldozed. Demolished in the city of Palm Springs by the Palm Springs Fire Department.  As community organizations and government entities across the state participate in “Unite Against the Hate” activities, beginning September 21, we think that it is important to point out that as we voice our distain for hate, our government institutions are in some places still defending it!

What are the City of Palm Springs, the Attorney General and the Department of Social Services doing about the plight of the Palm Springs Section 14 Survivors of the “City engineered Holocaust”?

By Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media??

Dr. Mark Ghaly, Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS), announced September 7 that he is resigning from the post- he has held since March 2019 when he was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

“Dr. Ghaly’s heroic service to the people of our state and his profound contribution to reshaping California’s health and social services cannot be overstated,” Newsom stated. “For more than five years at the helm of CalHHS, his visionary and compassionate leadership and unwavering focus on protecting the most vulnerable among us has seen our state through unprecedented challenges and historic victories that improve the lives of Californians.”

On June 8, Newsom appointed Director Kim Johnson as the next CalHHS Secretary effective October 1.

Ghaly will stay on at CalHHS through the end of September to facilitate the leadership transition. During Dr. Ghaly’s tenure, which spanned California’s nation-leading response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CalHHS moved forward with many initiatives that focused on providing more stability and opportunity to Californians. These initiatives covered a range of the agency’s functions, including addressing affordability and access to health care and deepening the connection between housing, homelessness and health, including behavioral health.

“I am grateful to Secretary Ghaly for his steadfast leadership and partnership during one of the greatest public health crises of our lifetime. However, it was his unceasing dedication to caring for the needs of all Californians, especially our most vulnerable, that will be his enduring legacy. It is my great privilege to call him a colleague and friend. I wish him the very best as he embarks on his next chapter,” stated Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, who served as California’s first Surgeon General.

Johnson, CalHHS’ incoming Secretary, has served as Director of the California Department of Social Services since 2019 and she has worn a number of hats 2015 to 2019, including Deputy Director of the Family Engagement and Empowerment Division at the agency and Branch Chief of CalWORKs.

REDLANDS, CA –– The City of Redlands is canceling this Saturday’s Downtown’s Morning Market, Movies in the Park and all other organized outdoor activities through Sunday, Sept. 15, due to unhealthful air quality as a result of the Line Fire and other fires.

Other events and activities that have been canceled include all outdoor athletic field permits and rentals, organized pickleball programs at the Gonzales Center courts and tennis lessons at Ford Park. City staff will reassess air quality on Monday, Sept. 16, to determine if activities may be safely resumed.

Smoke and ash from the Line Fire and other fires in the region has affected air quality over much of Southern California. The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued an air quality advisory, with conditions reaching Very Unhealthy and even Hazardous in areas. Conditions may change quickly due to fire activity and weather. Download https://www.aqmd.gov/mobileapp or visit www.aqmd.gov/AQImap to view current air quality in your neighborhood.

More information regarding the Line Fire is available from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection at https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/9/5/line-fire.

By Edward Henderson | California Black Media

In less than two months, Californians will vote on Proposition (Prop) 32. This voter guide is one in a series of articles that will help you understand what supporters and opponents of California’s 10 ballot initiatives are saying about each one.

Prop 32 would increase California’s minimum wage to $18 per hour. It is currently $16 per hour for most people and $20 per hour for fast food workers. Health care workers will eventually see their minimum wage reach $25 per hour, according to a law Gov. Gavin Newsom signed last year.

Supporters of the proposition argue that with the cost of living rising, wages need to increase as well for families to survive. California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Saru Jayaraman, director of the Food Labor Research Center at UC Berkeley, on why she supports a Yes vote for Prop 32.

“I’ve been organizing restaurant workers for 20 years. I’ve never seen a period in which I’ve seen so many restaurant workers working full-time and living in their cars. The cost of living has become an extreme crisis for people at all income levels in California,” says Jayaraman. “When you raise the floor, it lifts all boats. You raise the floor to $18 an hour, people just above $18 get a raise. It’s critical for people to be able to survive here in California.”

Jayaraman also mentioned that while Modoc County has the lowest cost of living in California, the MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a wage of $20 an hour is needed to cover basic expenses. Closer to $25 an hour would be needed for a family with a child. In large cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, $40 an hour is the estimated minimum living wage.

Opponents of the Proposition argue that small business owners would struggle to adjust to the wage increases resulting in cutting jobs and raising prices for their services. CBM spoke with John Kabateck, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), who is opposed to Prop 32.

The NFIB represents 13,000 small business owners in California and 300,000 nationwide. Kabateck says that a survey of their network reported only 8% of small business owners believe they expect their profits to improve over the next six months.

“I think every employer ought to do the right thing by showing their employees a pathway to economic success,” says Kabateck, adding that a standard minimum wage increase might hurt the bottom lines of those small business owners.

“We don’t believe that a one-size-fits-all kind of a cookie cutter mandated wage on especially on small business owners is going to be the pathway to their success,” said Kabatack. “Frankly, we are witnessing — just in the past several months with some particular industries — the opposite happening. We are seeing the very individuals that minimum wage proponents want to help being harmed. They are not getting the entry-level jobs and not finding that growth opportunities that they should.”

Jayaraman has heard this argument before and does not believe it is a factor when considering how raising the minimum wage can help small businesses.

“The minimum wage has gone up multiple times. It went up to $15. Small business continued to grow in California. It went up to $16.50. Small business continued to grow in California. And that’s because, guess what? When you pay people more, guess what they do? They go spend it. And the small businesses actually benefit from people in their communities having enough to eat out and to buy things.”

Kabateck highlighted that Californian fast-food restaurants have laid off an aggerate of 9,500 workers since April. Pizza Hut and Round Table have laid off approximately 1,300 delivery drivers, citing rising wages as the reason for the issue.

“At the end of the day, they’re sealing the fate of the people that they’re trying to help. And it’s not chicken little, this is not doom and gloom. And this is also not an angry guy saying we shouldn’t help people in the workplace. We got to help them, and we want to help retain them, but this is the wrong avenue.”

A YES vote supports increasing the state minimum wage to $18 per hour by 2026 for all employers and thereafter adjusting the rate annually by increases to the cost of living.

A NO vote opposes this ballot initiative, maintaining the existing law which was designed to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour for all employers by January 2023 and increasing it annually according to inflation.

By Vickie Davis

My name is Vickie Davis, and I am excited to announce my candidacy for Rialto City Council. As a lifelong resident of Rialto, a proud mother, a licensed clinician, and a dedicated community advocate, I have spent my entire life working to uplift and support our community. Now, I am ready to take that commitment to the next level by serving as your voice on the City Council.

Rialto is more than just my home—it’s where I’ve built my life, raised my children, and dedicated my career to making a difference. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside many of you to address the challenges facing our city, whether through mental health services, community outreach, or advocating for the needs of our most vulnerable residents. I’ve seen firsthand the resilience, strength, and diversity that makes Rialto so special, and I believe that our city deserves leadership that reflects those qualities.

As a licensed clinician, I’ve worked on the front lines of mental health care, helping individuals and families navigate difficult times. This experience has taught me the importance of compassion, understanding, and action—values that I will bring to the City Council. I understand the importance of addressing mental health needs in our community, and I am committed to
ensuring that everyone in Rialto has access to the resources and support they need to thrive.

But my vision for Rialto goes beyond just mental health. I am deeply committed to creating a city that is safe, inclusive, and equitable for all. This means advocating for affordable housing, improving public safety, supporting small businesses, and ensuring that our city’s growth benefits everyone, not just a select few. It also means prioritizing diversity, inclusion, and equity in every decision we make—because our city’s strength lies in its diversity.

I am not a career politician; I am a career community advocate. I understand the real issues facing our community because I live them every day, just like you.

My campaign is about people, not politics. It’s about ensuring that every resident of Rialto has a voice in the decisions that affect our lives.

I want to be that voice for you on the City Council, to listen to your concerns, fight for your needs, and work tirelessly to build a brighter future for our city. As I embark on this journey, I ask for your support, your trust, and your vote.

Together, we can make Rialto a city where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, where families can flourish, and where our community continues to be a place we are all proud to call home.

Thank you for considering me as your next City Council member. Let’s work together to create a better Rialto for all of us.

Sincerely, Vickie Davis

As part of the Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS) ongoing commitment to engaging in innovative work to improve the maternal health care landscape, inclusive of offering a comprehensive suite of services and benefits aimed at promoting health equity and addressing disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes, Medi-Cal now covers doula services.

This new and important benefit, added by DHCS in January 2023, helps to ensure that birthing individuals have additional options to receive physical, emotional, and nonmedical support, prevent perinatal complications, and improve health outcomes for birthing individuals and their infants.

What Are Doula Services?

Doula services include personal support to birthing individuals and their families throughout pregnancy and one year postpartum. This includes emotional and physical support provided during pregnancy, labor, birth, and the postpartum period, as well as support during miscarriage and abortion.

Services include guidance; health navigation; evidence-based education for prenatal, postpartum, childbirth, and newborn/infant care; lactation support; development of a birth plan; and, if appropriate, connecting birthing individuals to community-based resources (e.g., breastfeeding classes or maternal support groups) or other providers.

Addressing Health Equity & Maternal Health Disparities

Doula services may be especially important for Black birthing individuals, who face disproportionately higher rates of maternal and infant mortality.

In the United States, Black people are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White people. Additionally, Black infants are more than twice as likely to die in their first year of life compared to White infants.

Ultimately, Medi-Cal covered doula services are an important step in promoting greater health equity and reducing disparities in maternal health outcomes.

Why Medi-Cal Covers Doula Services?

Doulas provide person-centered, culturally sensitive care that supports the racial, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural diversity of Medi-Cal members, which not only help to address the unique and varied needs of Medi-Cal members, but also help to promote equity and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes.

Doula care is associated with positive birth outcomes, including a reduction in cesarean sections, epidural use, length of labor, low-birth weight, and premature deliveries. Additionally, the emotional support provided by doulas has been shown to help lower stress and anxiety during labor.

Accessing Doula Services

Doulas are available through Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) and fee-for-service delivery systems. Doulas can offer personal support throughout pregnancy and one year postpartum, regardless of birth outcomes. To increase access to doula services and reduce barriers, DHCS issued a standing recommendation for doula services. This means that Medi-Cal members do not need to request a separate written referral to receive Medi-Cal-covered doula services, they can just go directly to a doula who accepts Medi-Cal patients and begin their journey with a doula who will support them throughout their pregnancy, labor, and postpartum period.

Comprehensive Care Coverage

Medi-Cal’s doula services include one initial 90-minute visit to establish care and support, eight additional visits combining prenatal and postpartum care tailored to individual needs, continuous support during labor and delivery, including in cases of stillbirth, miscarriage, or abortion, and up to two extended three-hour postpartum visits to ensure comprehensive postpartum care.

With an additional recommendation from a physician or other licensed practitioner, doulas can also provide up to nine additional postpartum visits to Medi-Cal members.

Real Stories, Real Impact

For many families, the support of a doula has been life-changing and significantly impacted their birth outcomes.

Mark and Jasmine, a young couple expecting their first child, were determined to have a positive birthing experience.

Mark recalls, “Having a doula was one of the best decisions we made. Our doula, Linda, was an advocate for us in the hospital, helping us understand our options and make informed decisions. When Jasmine went into labor, Linda’s presence transformed a fearful situation into an empowering experience. She offered comfort and emotional support that helped Jasmine stay strong and focused. After our baby was born, Linda’s continued support during the postpartum period was invaluable. She helped educate Jasmine about breastfeeding and provided us with resources that made our transition into parenthood smoother.”

Expanded Support Services

Medi-Cal extends its maternal coverage beyond doula services to include certified nurse midwives and licensed midwife services, delivering clinical care to birthing individuals and their newborns.

Additionally, DHCS is developing a comprehensive Birthing Care Pathway to guide Medi-Cal members from conception to 12 months post-birth. This project aims to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality disparities, particularly among Black, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), and Pacific Islander birthing individuals.

It also aims to enhance Medi-Cal’s care delivery policies for pregnant and postpartum individuals, standardize care processes across different settings, and encourage the adoption of these guidelines.

Investing in Health, Empowering Families

By integrating doulas into Medi-Cal, DHCS is helping to transform maternal and infant health care, ensuring that every Medi-Cal member has access to many options when it comes to choosing maternal care providers who are sensitive to cultural and language needs as well as individual preferences in terms of time, place, and manner of the birthing experience. DHCS’ commitment and ongoing investment in this space has already improved and will continue to improve health outcomes and foster long-term health and well-being for Medi-Cal members and their families across the state.

For more information and to find a doula near you, visit the Doula Directory at (https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Documents/Doula-Directory.pdf) or the Medi-Cal Doula Services page at (www.dhcs.ca.gov/provgovpart/pages/Doula-Services.aspx).

This list represents doulas who have enrolled in Medi-Cal. Beneficiaries who enrolled in a Medi-Cal managed care plan can check with their managed care plan regarding doulas who provide services to their members.

In Riverside County and San Bernardino County, Medi-Cal recipients can contact:

*   Inland Empire Health Plan: 800-440-4347

*   Kaiser Permanente: 855-839-7613

*   Molina HealthCare of California Partner Plan, Inc.: 888-665-4621

Empower your birth experience with Medi-Cal’s comprehensive doula services. Because every family deserves support, respect, and care.