FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Ambulance response times have been delayed by about 19 percent, or two minutes, following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. That’s according to a new study from the National Bureau of Economic Research, which confirms that reducing the uninsured population by more than 21 million nationwide, has led to greater demand…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — One in eight Americans could be considered an alcoholic, according to a new study published in JAMA Psychiatry. High-risk drinking is defined as men consuming at least 5 alcoholic beverages, in a single day, at least once a week. The figure for women is 4 drinks. Researchers say alcoholism has risen significantly…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — As students in the Golden State are returning to school, the California Department of Public Health is reminding parents to make sure their children have received their vaccines. Public schools students are required by law to be vaccinated against preventable diseases. Only students with a medical waiver can be exempted from the…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The Federal Communications Commission is slapping Best Insurance Contracts with an $82 million fine. The commission says the company was behind 200 thousand robocalls a day, trying to selling insurance policies. Phone numbers were altered, to make the calls appear as though they were local. The FCC says disguising caller ID information…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — More than $91 million was spent by lobbyists, during the second quarter of the California legislative session. That’s up $10 million year-over-year. Heated issues such as universal healthcare, cap-and-trade, and the gas tax increase, drew the bulk of that cash. Single-payer insurance failed, but lawmakers approved a cap-and-trade extension, along with the…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Covered California is expecting rates for 2018 to rise by an average of 12.5 percent. Officials say a portion of that increase is due to a one-time tax, under the Affordable Care Act. Despite uncertainty at the federal level, all 11 health companies in the exchange will continue to participate. Aaron Abeytia…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The controversial Fire Prevention Fee has been repealed by the California Legislature. However, property owners on whom it was imposed, must still pay meet their existing obligations. CalFire says bills issued for the fiscal years during which the fee was in place must be paid in full. Rhose who are delinquent face…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Legal heroin injection centers could become a reality in the Golden State. A measure aimed at reducing heroin-related deaths has cleared the California Assembly, and is awaiting a vote in the Senate.= However, many remain skeptical, including Fresno Mayor Lee Brand, who tells KMJ, “It’s a slow degradation of our society —…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Support for drilling off the California Coast is down to a record low. A new Public Policy Institute of California survey finds it’s fallen to 25 percent, with 69 percent opposed. 81 percent of Democrats oppose offshore drilling, compared to 45 percent of Republicans. Support for wind and wave energy projects, meanwhile,…… MORE
FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — The Golden State could have nearly 1 million licensed, undocumented motorists, by the end of 2017. As of June, the DMV had issued around 905,000 licenses, under a state law that requires only California residency for eligibility, and disregards citizenship. A recent Stanford University study claims licensing undocumented residents has helped to…… MORE
