Elderly Immigrants Lose Medicare Coverage Despite Years of Contributions
A federal law signed by President Trump last year has stripped Medicare coverage from several categories of legal immigrants, The Oaklandside reports. Elderly residents who paid premiums for years are discovering their coverage has been canceled.
21 Charged in $250 Million Hospice Fraud Scheme
California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed charges against participants in a scheme that purchased personal data from the dark web to fraudulently register out-of-state residents for Medi-Cal benefits. The investigation began after the Department of Health Care Services flagged suspicious activity, according to ABC7.
Millions Remain on Expiring Relief Debit Cards
Hundreds of thousands of Californians have not spent funds loaded on state inflation relief debit cards, ABC7 reports. The cards expire April 30, after which the money will be forfeited.
State Law Could Triple Campbell’s Population
New state legislation requiring dense housing near transit stations could add up to 40,000 homes to the small South Bay city, San José Spotlight reports. Campbell’s city council is rushing to prepare for the potential building boom before the law takes effect July 1.
Sunnyvale Bans ICE Access to City Property
Sunnyvale’s city council unanimously voted to create immigration enforcement-free zones on city property, according to San José Spotlight. The city also committed to distributing “know your rights” materials, following similar actions by neighboring municipalities.
Bay Area Insurers Demand Costly Home Upgrades
Beyond rising premiums, homeowners face expensive mandated upgrades such as gas shutoff valves as conditions for maintaining coverage, ABC7 reports. Failure to comply with the requirements threatens policy cancellation.
San Francisco Demands Blue Shield Explain Denials to Retirees
A city committee summoned Blue Shield executives to hearings after a wave of claim denials affecting former city employees, ABC7 reports. The case of a retired firefighter denied stage-four cancer treatment drew particular scrutiny.
BART Service Halted by Equipment Failure Near San Bruno
Track equipment failure near San Bruno station paralyzed service to San Francisco International Airport and caused system-wide delays Thursday morning, KRON4 reports. The transit agency issued an alert at 8:43 a.m.
Democrats Hold ‘Shadow Hearing’ in San Francisco on Voting Rights
Rep. Nancy Pelosi and election law experts warned that proposed Trump administration voting restrictions could disenfranchise millions of Americans, KQED reports. The hearing lacks legal authority but aims to draw attention to pending legislation.
Immigrant Truckers Wait Months for License Renewals
The California DMV has delayed processing commercial license renewals for immigrant drivers, prompting a state court to order progress reports, The Oaklandside reports. The delays have cost truckers income for months.
Oakland Ends Free Sunday Parking Starting April 12
Free daytime parking on Sundays in Oakland will end this weekend. City officials believe paid meters will increase parking turnover and help businesses, but residents and drivers remain skeptical, ABC7 reports.
San Francisco Declares 24-Hour ‘Ceasefire’ After Violence Spike
The city called for a symbolic 24-hour halt to violence following an increase in youth homicides, SF Standard reports. Activists cite poverty, isolation, social media and easy access to weapons as primary causes.