Governor Newsom Proposes Expanded Healthcare Coverage for Californians

Governor Gavin Newsom has released his proposed $286 billion state budget for the coming fiscal year. It includes an expansion of healthcare access to all California residents, regardless of immigration status. Reporter: Guy Marzorati, KQED Hospitals in the U.S. are seeing a record number of children hospitalized with COVID-19, and California is no exception. In San Diego, the numbers are especially high, but most of the children are testing positive after being admitted to the hospital. Reporter: Kitty Alvarado, KPBS  The unprecedented surge in new COVID-19 cases has led to a test shortage at retail stores. Over the weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order that gives consumers price-gouging protections. Reporter: Jackie Fortier, KPCC  Grocery stores have been some of the few retailers that have stayed consistently open during the pandemic. Now, a new report highlights how workers at one chain, Kroger’s, which owns Ralph’s and Food 4 Less, are faring and how the virus has impacted their work.  Reporter: Michelle Wiley, KQED Governor Newsom is expected to issue an executive order this week that could help schools get substitute teachers into classrooms. The executive order would do three things, according to a source in the Newsom administration: extend the time long-term subs can stay in schools, shorten the time retired teachers must wait before they become eligible to return as subs, and make it easier to credential new substitutes.  Reporter: Julia McEvoy, KQED Dr. Bob Wachter with UC San Francisco has been tracking COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. He recently shared a personal story about the virus, after his son tested positive. Guest: Bob Wachter, Chair of the Department of Medicine at UC San Francisco  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices