Capitol Alert

The millennial renter wage gap + Bonta investigates health care algorithms for racial bias

California news

Good morning and welcome to the A.M. Alert!

CALIFORNIA CITIES TOP MILLENNIAL RENTER WAGE GAP LIST

Millennials make up the largest proportion of renters in the country, with nearly a quarter (27.2%) leasing their housing, according to the company Filterbuy. It used U.S. Census data to calculate the percentage difference between the median wage for millennial renters and the median wage necessary to afford a one-bedroom rental without spending more than 30% on rent each month.

The survey found that the millennial renter wage gap was widest in the coastal states, with California cities occupying several top slots.

The small metro category included Santa Cruz (61.3%), El Centro (38.4%), Napa (37.4%), Madera (32.9%), Merced (28.3%) and San Luis Obispo (27%).

Among midsize metros were Santa Maria (61.5%), Ventura (51.1%), Salinas (50.8%), Santa Rosa (43.2%) and Vallejo (32.6%).

Large metros included Los Angeles (49.5%), San Diego (39.9%), San Francisco (37.4%), San Jose (36.1%), San Bernardino (34.5%) and Sacramento (28.1%)

In California’s capital, the median millennial renter wage was $36,649, while the annual wage needed to afford the median one-bedroom rental ($1,274 a month) was $50,960. A third (30.1%) of millennials rent, according to the survey.

BONTA INVESTIGATES RACIAL BIAS IN HEALTH CARE ALGORITHMS

California Attorney General Rob Bonta last week sent letters to 30 hospital CEOs across the state, requesting information on how they are identifying and addressing racial and ethnic disparities in their decision-making tools. This marks the first step in a California Department of Justice inquiry into whether commercial health care algorithms — used by providers to make decisions that affect access to health care — have a discriminatory consequences.

“Our health affects nearly every aspect of our lives — from work to our relationships. That’s why it’s so important that everyone has equal access to quality healthcare,” Bonta said in a statement. “We know that historic biases contribute to the racial health disparities we continue to see today. It’s critical that we work together to address these disparities and bring equity to our healthcare system.”

Bonta mentioned a study that found an algorithm that referred white patients for a higher level of services more frequently than Black patients with similar needs.

Bonta’s office is requesting that CEOs provide him with a list of all decision-making tools that assist with clinical decisions, population health management and payment management and reasons for using them.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Biden was trying to trigger the MAGA Republicans. They took the bait. The louder they are the better Democrats will do in the midterms.”

- California GOP consultant Mike Madrid, via Twitter.

Best of The Bee:

  • Welcome back: California state office buildings will set thermostats Tuesday to 78 degrees at 4 p.m. and 80 degrees at 5 p.m., Gov. Gavin Newsom’s spokeswoman said; via Dale Kasler

  • Federal agents pulled more than two dozen documents marked “CONFIDENTIAL,” “SECRET,” and “TOP-SECRET” from former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago office, along with empty folders with banners reading “CLASSIFIED,” government photos and scores of magazines and other media clippings, according to a newly unsealed document filed in federal court, via David Smiley.

  • He’s been the face of disaster in California for the past decade, standing alongside the governor or some other elected official while directing the state’s crisis response. Mark Ghilarducci is retiring at year’s end as director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, the state announced Friday, capping a tumultuous 10 years that saw an unprecedented rise in wildfires and assorted other disasters, via Dale Kasler.

  • California lawmakers spent the legislative session — and especially the past three days — passing thousands of measures and rejecting many others. The Senate and Assembly closed out their final floor sessions early Thursday morning after sending a host of bills to Gov. Gavin Newsom for his signature or veto in September. The successful measures covered abortion access, climate change, worker rights and housing. Other bills, aimed at expanding vaccine access, tightening concealed carry gun permitting and allowing a legislative staff union fell short in the final hours, via Lindsey Holden.

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