California Cities Take on Soda Regulation
From New York City to California, local officials are pushing ideas to get consumers to cut down on soft drinks. Health experts say sugary drinks like Coke and Pepsi contribute to obesity and diabetes. And now two California cities, Richmond and El Monte, are asking voters to approve taxes on those drinks. If voters say yes, they could be the first in the nation to tax sodas, energy drinks and other sugary beverages. But experts disagree on whether getting people to change their behavior is more complicated than adding pennies to the price of a soda.
Proposition 37: Food Labeling
One health-related ballot measure getting nationwide attention is Proposition 37 -- which goes to the heart of how much information consumers should have about their food. Prop. 37 requires labeling on raw or processed food that's made from certain genetically engineered materials. It also prohibits calling any foods like that "natural" on the packaging. Supporters say consumers have a right to this information. Opponents say the measure is misleading and full of loopholes.
L.A. County Measure Seeks to Require Adult Film Condom Use
You won't find it on the L.A. County Chamber of Commerce website, but the San Fernando Valley has a big porn industry. And earlier this year Los Angeles became the first city in the nation to require male adult film actors to wear condoms while performing. But that landmark law doesn't apply to film studios. Now a measure on the ballot is aiming to require the L.A. County Health Department to enforce condom use at all adult film shoots countywide, studios included.
The Affordable Care Act After Election Day
No one has more riding on the election than President Obama, and not just because he's on the ballot. The outcome on November 6 will go a long way toward determining whether the Affordable Care Act will be fully implemented or not. For a look at how that could play out in California, host Scott Shafer talks to Marian Mulkey, director of the Health Reform and Public Programs Initiative at the California Healthcare Foundation -- a funder of The California Report.
A Fight for Marijuana Dispensaries in San Diego
It's been 16 years since California voters legalized medical marijuana. But the issue is far from settled. The federal government has been pushing back, forcing storefront pot shops to close their doors all across the state. Now, voters in four San Diego County cities will see measures to authorize medical marijuana dispensaries. From KPBS, Kenny Goldberg says even if the measures win, patients might ultimately lose.