September 30 is the last day for Governor Newsom to sign or veto bills. The ITV Healthcare Working Group is asking for ITV members to contact the Governor’s office and affirm support for the health-related bills, which are all designated priority bills for Indivisible California State Strong (CASS)”:

• AB 1540, which restores access to 988 LGBTQ+ Suicide and crisis lifeline, is moving forward under AB 173 via the policy framework, and AB 113, the full budget bill, which allocates $5 million towards the lifeline.

• AB 2161, which is part of a package of bills meant to mitigate the negative administrative impact of HR 1, and automates Medi-Cal verifications.

• SB 608, which repeals ID requirements for condoms and contraception. 

• SB 895, the California Science and Health Research Bond Act, which would create a $7.5 billion bond for health and science research on the March 7, 2028 primary ballot. 

• SB 942, which would require public health licenses to operate detention centers. 

To reach the Governor’s office, you can send a message on his website or call his office directly at (916) 445-2841. 

Comment on a Proposal That Could Harm Vaccine Access By 9/20/2026!

Your Local Epidemiologist is sounding the alarm about HHS opening to public comment about how the federal government recommends vaccines, how to categorize them and how often to recommend them. The public comment period has only been opened for 30 days, when such proposals are normally given 90 days. Please submit a formal comment at Regulations.gov.

Updated Vaccines Are Available!

• The latest flu and COVID vaccines have been approved by the FDA, and should be available at your local pharmacy or healthcare provider. The American Medical Association (AMA) has compiled a list of recommendations based on age and health status for the flu, COVID, and RSV vaccines. The short version: most people should get the flu and COVID vaccines; older, and immunocompromised people should also get the RSV vaccine. 

ICYMI

• Health officials say the cyclospora outbreak is over. 

• The food recalls continue, though:

  • Several lots of organic eggs sold via a California farm are recalled due to a salmonella outbreak. 

  • Frozen organic berries sold at Walmart recalled due to possible E. coli contamination.  

• The measles outbreak continues to claim lives - Pennsylvania health officials reported the 4th measles-related death, an unvaccinated 18-year old.

• Amidst these controversies, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., headlined a sold-out anti-vaccine conference alongside discredited former doctor Andrew Wakefield who lost his medical license after publishing a fraudulent study claiming a link between autism and the MMR vaccine.

Join Us!

The ITV Healthcare Working Group meets every other Wednesday online to discuss the latest local health issues, and provide opportunities for people to get involved. Next week we have a special guest speaker, Jimmy Ancira, the Community Engagement Coordinator for LGBTQ Minus Tobacco, who will be discussing how to counter the tobacco industry’s marketing efforts directed at the LGBTQ+ community. You can sign up via Mobilize.