SUMMARY: California is implementing several new health care laws amid a year of relatively subdued policy changes. Key measures include ending medical debt’s impact on credit scores, extending hospital holds for violent offenders with severe mental illness, and banning PFAS chemicals in cosmetics. Additionally, public health officials now have the authority to inspect immigrant detention centers for compliance with regulations. Other notable laws mandate maternal mental health screenings, require accessible prescription labels for the visually impaired, and expand sick leave provisions. Governor Gavin Newsom has sought to delay mandatory fertility treatment coverage and has vetoed more ambitious health care reform proposals.

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SUMMARY: Growing old requires immense courage, as highlighted by Judith Graham’s conversations with older adults for her “Navigating Aging” columns. These individuals face uncertainties about health, support systems, and finances, yet they adapt and find meaning in their lives. Stories from people like Patricia Estess and Marna Clarke reveal the beauty of acceptance and resilience in aging. As Graham prepares for her own retirement and potential vision loss, she reflects on the importance of adapting to change, even without guarantees. Engaging with the experiences of others has enriched her understanding and commitment to navigate the complexities of aging.

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SUMMARY: In November, Montana voters enshrined abortion rights in the state constitution while electing a new conservative chief justice, Cory Swanson, to the Supreme Court. This juxtaposition has sparked tensions as the court prepares to interpret the extent of abortion protections amid existing laws. Similar battles are unfolding nationally, with abortion rights advocates winning measures in seven states while confronting conservative judicial appointments. As political influence grows in judicial elections, states like Michigan and Ohio have seen spending soar, complicating the legal landscape following the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision. Future judicial rulings are anticipated as states propose new abortion restrictions.

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