The chilling effects of President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” have caused nurses to be furloughed across Santa Clara County’s hospitals. Dozens of local nurses have been furloughed over the past few months, creating staffing shortages across the entire public health care system, according to nurses and union representatives. They also pointed out furloughs at...
More South County homeless receive health care
Local officials are reporting a sharp uptick in homeless people seeking health services in South County – a trend they credit to successful outreach. South County patient encounters with the Valley Homeless Healthcare Program — which provides mobile and fixed-site primary care, substance abuse and oral health services — have exceeded last year’s totals. As...
Santa Clara County cancer center carries on amid funding woes
The recent passage of a countywide sales tax measure is expected to soften federal funding cuts to Silicon Valley’s largest public hospital system. But it won’t avoid cuts entirely — and places like Santa Clara County’s premier cancer treatment center could still be affected. It’s estimated that roughly 18% of all Santa Clara County cancer patients will be...
Audit calls for changes after San Jose firefighter drug tampering
A city audit is recommending the San Jose Fire Department strengthen its drug tracking and inventory security after painkiller thefts by a firefighter led to patients receiving morphine from tampered vials. The audit, released Monday, recommends Fire Chief Robert Sapien’s department updates its policies on storage and access to paramedic drug kits, timing of inventory inspections, as...
Santa Clara County struggles to keep mental health workers
Santa Clara County is struggling to retain its behavioral health workforce. A recent report from the University of California, San Francisco examines the gaps in the county’s Behavioral Health and Services Department. It shows that between February 2024 and February 2025, 28% of behavioral health workers employed by the department and contracted agencies are no...
San Jose nonprofits help families with food and groceries
Two San Jose nonprofits have stepped up to help families struggling with food insecurity. Grail Family Services and Sacred Heart Community Service are providing groceries for families, including many who rely on CalFresh, California’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Grail Family Services provided 100 families each with $150 vouchers for groceries...
Santa Clara County provides free resources to veterans
With Veterans Day approaching, Santa Clara County is offering free health and social services to local vets this weekend. The annual Stand Down offers housing and employment assistance, medical and dental screenings, mental health resources, legal aid, groceries, clothing, showers, haircuts and hot lunches. The event kicked off Thursday at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds...
UPDATE: San Jose officials approve temporary tobacco shop ban
The San Jose City Council has enacted a temporary moratorium blocking the establishment of new tobacco shops throughout the city as officials draw up a long-term plan to regulate such businesses. Councilmembers voted unanimously Tuesday to halt the issuance of new licenses for local tobacco businesses, including retailers, smoke shops and smoking lounges. The 45-day...
Santa Clara County Black infant program shuffle stirs concerns
The reassignment of a trusted doctor out of Santa Clara County’s Black Infant Health Program has sparked concern for future efforts combating baby mortality. It’s also exposing the tense balancing act of absorbing a massive county budget hole without cutting services. County officials are moving Dr. Beverley White-Macklin, who has for decades developed a program...
South County school district backs ultraprocessed food ban
Associated Press health writer JoNel Aleccia in Temecula, California, contributed. California will phase out certain ultraprocessed foods from school meals over the next decade under a first-in-the-nation law signed Wednesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The law seeks to define ultraprocessed foods, the often super-tasty products typically full of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats. The legislation...