Author

Ana B. Ibarra

Ana B. Ibarra is a reporter for California Healthline based in Sacramento. Before joining the KHN team in February 2016, she spent two years covering health in California’s Central Valley for the Merced Sun-Star. She is a 2015 Center for Health Journalism fellow and a Cal Poly Pomona graduate.

Health

California Candidates Go Head-To-Head On Health Care, Again

Ana B. Ibarra Feb 24, 2020

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY - The California Democrats who fought to flip Republican congressional seats in 2018 used health care as their crowbar. The Republicans had just voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act in the U.S. House — and…

Business

California Goes Big On Health Care For 2020

Ana B. Ibarra Jan 21, 2020

Proposals would lower prescription drug costs, increase access to health coverage, and restrict and tax vaping. But most lawmakers agree that homelessness will dominate the agenda, including proposals to get people into housing while…

Health

From Clinic To Courtroom, Fighting For Immigrant Health Care

Ana B. Ibarra Dec 19, 2019

Jane Garcia, CEO of La Clínica de La Raza, has been advocating for immigrants’ right to health care for more than 40 years. She took former California Gov. Pete Wilson’s administration to court over prenatal care for undocumented women in…

Health

Some Rejoice Over New California Health Insurance Subsidies; Others Get Shut Out; Assistance Will Be…

Ana B. Ibarra Dec 12, 2019

With open enrollment for Covered California going full steam — sign-ups for 2020 coverage end Jan. 31 — consumers are eagerly trying to determine whether they might qualify for the new aid and, if so, how much. File photo: Pixabay …

Business

Dialysis Patients Panic As Financial ‘Life Raft’ Becomes Unmoored

Ana B. Ibarra Nov 14, 2019

Medicare doesn't cover all of Russell Desmond's health care costs, so, with assistance from the American Kidney Fund, he pays for private insurance to cover the difference. But if the organization cuts off aid, Desmond says, he has no…

Business

Flavor Bans Multiply, But Menthol Continues to Divide

Ana B. Ibarra Nov 8, 2019

LOS ANGELES, CA - As states and communities rush to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products linked to vaping, Carol McGruder races from town to town, urging officials to include what she calls “the mother lode of all flavors”:…

Business

California Governor’s Bill-Signing Marathon Offers Glimpse Of 2020 Issues

Ana B. Ibarra Oct 15, 2019

California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) as he delivered his inaugural address in Sacramento in January. He outlined some of his priorities, including addressing criminal justice reform, mental health care, and climate change. File photo:…

Business

States Target Vaping With Bans; In California, The Action Is Local

Ana B. Ibarra Sep 30, 2019

In the absence of a statewide ban on flavored tobacco products, such as those sold by e-cigarette manufacturer Juul Labs, California cities and counties are stepping in. File photo: Pixabay. CALIFORNIA - States are piling on.…

Health

As Mysterious Vaping-Related Illnesses Sicken Hundreds Across Country, Vapers Seek Relief From…

Ana B. Ibarra Sep 13, 2019

“Juul made my nicotine addiction a lot worse,” says Lucas McClain, who is now back on cigarettes. “When I didn’t have it for more than two hours, I’d get very anxious.” Photo credit: Lynne Shallcross/KHN. CALIFORNIA - Lucas McClain…

Business

California Lawmakers Send Contested Vaccine Bill To Governor Newsom

Ana B. Ibarra Sep 6, 2019

The California State Capitol, home to the government of the U.S. state of California. The building houses the bicameral state legislature and the office of the governor. File photo: Pixabay. SACRAMENTO - California lawmakers dropped…

Health

Despite Failed Promises, Stem Cell Advocates Again Want Taxpayers To Pony Up Billions

Ana B. Ibarra Aug 17, 2019

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) announced in July that it had stopped taking applications for new research projects, and it will award its final grants for new projects by September, an agency spokesperson later…

Society

California Becomes First State to Require Background Checks for Buying Ammunition As Tougher Gun…

Ana B. Ibarra Jul 6, 2019

Starting July 1, 2019, a new state law in California will require the same background check required for purchasing a gun, as the final provision of a 2016 ballot measure aimed at preventing convicted criminals from owning and using…