In the coming weeks and months, California Governor Gavin Newsom will continue to toggle his attention between pandemic-related policies, business and school reopenings, expanding vaccination availability, and a likely fall recall election.

A week before the Presidential Inauguration, then President-elect Biden’s team released the incoming administration’s $1.9 trillion emergency relief plan designed to continue to guide the country through the ongoing medical and economic challenges of the global pandemic.

From time to time in political and policy discussions, the phrase comes up, "As goes California, so goes the nation.” We can now say that with what is called “surprise medical billing.”

It was an interesting year in the California legislature. While the number of new laws overall was significantly reduced compared to other years, of most interest are the numerous employment-related bills signed by Governor Newsom that carry with them a strong focus on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau undertakes the extraordinary task of counting the individuals residing in the United States and its island areas. With 2020 being a census year, it is no surprise that this all-important and constitutionally mandated task would also be impacted by the current COVID-19 pandemic.