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Health Secretary Becerra touts extreme heat protections. Farmworkers want more.
Clarksburg, California — On a sunny August morning in this agricultural town, before temperatures soared to 103 degrees, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra stood outside the small public library.
He came to talk about the Biden administration’s efforts to protect farmworkers from extreme heat and wildfire smoke, two emerging public health issues at the forefront of the climate crisis.
“There are still not enough protections for workers that are picking the food that we eat,” Becerra told a group of local reporters and government officials, who outnumbered the farmworkers in the audience.
Becerra, whose father worked in the fields, had just come from visiting women picking grapes who protect themselves from the sun by dressing in sweaters, long pants and kerchiefs that cover their noses and mouths. The summers are long and intense in Clarksburg, a town of about 300 people along the Sacramento River that supplies California’s wine industry with petite sirah, sauvignon blanc and other grapes harvested by hundreds of farmhands.
“It’s going to be a hot day,” he added. “But they are still dressed as if it were winter.”
Vanessa G. Sánchez/KFF Health News
The nation’s top health officer, who is mulling a run for governor, has emerged as one of the Biden administration’s leading voices on climate change, focusing attention on low-income and other marginalized workers, who feel the impacts of extreme weather the most. In March, HHS released voluntary safety guidelines and educational materials that farms can use to protect their workers from smoke and heat.
Becerra’s appearance before reporters in front of the library was brief and scheduled to mark Farmworker Appreciation Day, not far from his home in Sacramento, where his wife, a doctor specializing in high-risk pregnancies, remains at work. He advertised the educational materials on the risks of heat illness and when temperatures might be too high to work. But he acknowledged that there is only so much he can do because workplace protections are overseen by the Department of Labor.
“Much of our jurisdiction doesn’t reach those workers directly,” Becerra acknowledged after meeting with grape pickers. “We owe everyone who is working to put food on our table the best effort to make sure that they are working under the safest conditions.”
His aides distributed a news release that listed a number of resources, including free workplace health investigations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; a training on the dangers of heat and smoke from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Worker Training Program; and planned awards to 77 health care providers in high-need areas, totaling $50 million, from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heat, which is already the No. 1 weather-related killer in the U.S., as well as fueling wildfires across the nation. There’s no official count of farmworker deaths from weather, but heat-related deaths have increased in recent years, jumping from 1,722 in 2022 to about 2,300 last year.
The U.S. Department of Labor in July released a proposed workplace heat standard that would require employers to give rest breaks, water and shade or air conditioning to workers exposed to excessive heat, but a final rule is likely years away. It’s unclear if it would supersede state regulations.
Five states have heat safety protections for workers in outdoor or indoor settings. In California, for instance, employers must provide water, cool-down areas, and breaks to workers when temperatures hit 82 degrees indoors and 80 degrees outdoors. The other states are Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington, and Maryland is expected to finalize a heat standard this year.
While Becerra said states can create their own workplace safety regulations, a federal heat safety standard would offer protections nationwide, forcing states like Florida and Texas — whose Republican governors have signed laws banning heat safety protections — to comply with minimum standards.
Becerra is hoping states will tap into the programs his health department is offering even though they are optional. Even in California, which has one of the country’s toughest heat protection standards, workers could benefit.
Lizbeth Mastache, who met privately with Becerra beforehand, said the days she spends in the fields picking grapes shrouded in wildfire smoke and extreme heat are not only becoming more frequent, but they are also making her sick.
She has had headaches, fatigue, and nausea from the heat, and has gone to the emergency room after smoky skies triggered her asthma. She and other farmworkers told Becerra they need guaranteed sick leave — to care for themselves when the smoke and heat sickens them — and affordable health insurance.
“I had to work picking grapes during the wildfires and they didn’t give us masks,” said Mastache, a farmworker for the past 14 years.
She said some farms haven’t allowed outreach workers onto their property to educate workers about how to prevent heat illness.
Vanessa G. Sánchez/KFF Health News
That’s a problem when many seasonal workers, who move for work among different states, don’t know that California requires employers to provide water, breaks, and training.
About three years ago, researchers at the University of California-Merced’s Community and Labor Center found that 15% of California farmworkers did not receive minimum rest breaks, and over 40% said their employer never provided a heat illness prevention plan. More than a third of farmworkers said they would not file a report against their employer, most of them for fear of retaliation.
The California Farm Bureau, which represents about 29,000 farmers, disputes the center’s findings, saying there have been few cases of heat illness among its members’ workers. Bryan Little, director of employment policy at the bureau, said his organization has trained hundreds of farmers and ranchers on how to protect workers from heat illness, such as by providing water and portable shaded spaces in the field for employees to cool off.
“They’re doing things every day to try to make sure that we can avoid exposing human beings to these risks, to the greatest extent that we can,” Little said.
While farmworker advocates praise Becerra for drawing attention to the harmful and sometimes fatal impacts of heat and wildfire smoke, they worry federal dollars won’t reach the most vulnerable. For example, there’s no guarantee much of that $50 million earmarked for health care providers will go to health care centers that serve farmworkers, said Amy Liebman, a chief program officer at the Migrant Clinicians Network, who has worked in migrant safety and health for over two decades.
“We need to make sure that our health centers are prepared and our clinicians are prepared,” Liebman said. “So that means that there needs to be a shift in terms of not just this emphasis, but some of the funding for it.”
As Becerra left his podium, covered with the sign “Protecting Communities From Extreme Heat,” he disappeared into the library and minutes later departed for Stockton to champion the next issue — lower prescription drug prices — with Democratic Rep. Josh Harder, who represents a competitive Central Valley congressional district.
This article was produced by KFF Health News, a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — the independent source for health policy research, polling and journalism. KFF Health News is the publisher of California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
Washington — A long-brewing legal standoff over the popular video-sharing app TikTok gets underway on Monday, with arguments in the challenge against a possible ban kicking off.
TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have been under fire by U.S. officials for years over warnings that China’s government could gain access to users’ data and use it to manipulate or spy on Americans. But a renewed push against the app gained momentum in Congress earlier this year, as lawmakers approved a foreign aid package that included provisions requiring it to be sold or be banned from U.S. app stores. President Biden signed the legislation into law in April, teeing up a countdown for TikTok’s sale.
TikTok and ByteDance filed a lawsuit against the Justice Department in May over the law, arguing that it violates First Amendment rights of users, among other claims. With the petition, the parties asked the court to block enforcement of the legislation, which they said would force a shutdown of the app by early next year, arguing that the sale of the app is untenable before then.
Given the timeline, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit fast-tracked oral arguments. The parties are appearing in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Monday, where TikTok will ask for a preliminary injunction against the law.
The video-sharing app will argue that Congress passed the law “hastily” under a “closed-door” legislative process, multiple sources told CBS News, while making the case that it’s the government’s burden, not TikTok’s, to prove that the speech restrictions further a compelling interest — and are tailored to achieve the interest. It will also argue that there’s “no information” that China has manipulated information Americans receive on TikTok.
TikTok has argued that the potential ban would be a “radical departure” from the U.S. supporting an open internet, while setting a “dangerous precedent.” Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers and security experts stress that the Chinese government could tap TikTok’s trove of personal data from millions of U.S. users.
In a July filing, the Justice Department outlined that the concern “is grounded in the actions ByteDance and TikTok have already taken overseas, and in the PRC’s malign activities in the United States that, while not reliant on ByteDance and TikTok to date, demonstrate its capability and intent to engage in malign foreign influence and theft of sensitive data.”
On Monday, TikTok and the Justice Department will each get 25 minutes to present their case.
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Homebuyers have faced a myriad of challenges that have persisted over the past few years, including elevated mortgage interest rates, scarce home inventory and high home prices. The combination of negative forces has priced many buyers out of the market and left their hopes of homeownership in doubt.
Thankfully, the housing market is starting to turn the corner, with good news sprinkling into the sector. Inflation is cooling, and the Federal Reserve is expected to begin cutting rates this week. These developments could result in more favorable home loan rates.
If you’re in the market for a new mortgage loan, take the time to research the best mortgage lenders. Below, we’ve detailed our best picks for the top lenders that could benefit you, depending on your situation.
Start by seeing how low of a mortgage interest rate you could secure here today.
Best mortgage lenders 2024
Here are six of the best mortgage lenders on the market now, broken down into six different categories:
Best overall: Veterans United Home Loans
Low rates are great, but finding the best balance of competitive rates, favorable terms, quick preapproval and exceptional customer service wins the day. Veterans United Home Loans checks all the boxes and is our choice for the best overall mortgage lender. As its name suggests, Veterans United specializes in Veterans Affairs (VA) loans but also offers conventional loans—with down payments as low as 3%—and other government-backed mortgages including FHA and USDA mortgages. Veterans United boasts a 4.8 rating (out of 5) on its website with nearly 400,000 customer reviews.
Learn more about Veterans United Home Loans here.
Best for first-time homebuyers: PenFed Credit Union
PenFed Credit Union is an excellent option for first-time buyers as it offers rates on conventional loans as low as 5.5% and low or no down payment options, depending on your loan type. The credit union also offers a First Time Home Buyer Advantage mortgage with a 3% down payment option and no income limits.
Qualified borrowers may secure a conventional mortgage loan with a 3% down payment, an FHA loan with 3.5% down or a VA loan with no down payment at all. PenFed also offers jumbo loans, home equity lines of credit and refinances.
If you’re interested in a PenFed mortgage, you must become a member to qualify. Fortunately, the credit union is open to anyone who wishes to join.
Best for good credit: U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank is a large bank available to borrowers nationwide. You may prefer this bank if you like the idea of applying for a loan in person at a local branch. The bank also offers an online application process with a shorter approval time. U.S. Bank offers competitive rates for borrowers with a minimum credit score of 620, but higher scores may lead to a lower rate.
In 2023, U.S. Bank launched the Access Home Loan program to improve homeownership opportunities for communities of color. This Special Purpose Credit Program (SPCP) provides eligible buyers with up to $12,500 in down payment assistance and $5,000 lender credit.
Best for bad credit: New American Funding
New American Funding offers three government-backed mortgage programs: FHA, VA and USDA. These programs provide affordable mortgage options for homebuyers who might have trouble qualifying for a conventional loan.
With a 10% down payment, you may be eligible for an FHA loan with a 500 minimum credit score. With a smaller down payment of only 3.5%, you may qualify with a 580 or greater score.
If you’re looking for more than government-backed loans, New American Funding provides a wide range of options, with over 16 different mortgage products to choose from.
Get started with New American Funding online today.
Best for fast funding: Better
Better’s One-Day Mortgage option may be worth considering if you need a fast closing or quick rate lock. This program gives qualified borrowers a rate and loan commitment letter within 24 hours, instead of the days or weeks many traditional banks require. Better also claims to close mortgages up to 17 days faster than the industry average. And if you find a lower rate with another lender, Better will match it. However, this option is not available for FHA and VA loans. Better enjoys a 4.4 rating on Trustpilot with over 1,700 reviews, 76% of which gave the lender a 5-star rating.
Best for low fees or closing costs: Alliant Credit Union
Alliant is a popular credit union that provides low and no-down payment options to help borrowers achieve the dream of homeownership. Alliant offers a large portfolio of mortgage options, including purchase, refinance and construction loans. As a credit union, rates are often lower than its traditional bank counterparts. Alliant’s website is also a cut-above the competition, making it easy to explore your options, estimate your payment or get preapproved in minutes.
The bottom line
Mortgage rates and terms vary from one lender to another, so it pays to get multiple quotes to find the best offer. Most lenders allow you to prequalify in minutes without affecting your credit score, so you can see the loan amount and mortgage rates you might qualify for.
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