Stories by JoAnn Seltzer on Northern California Record

SAN FRANCISCO — More patients will have access to a life-saving medicine after a decision was made recently by a large insurer.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court will determine if hospitals with a church affiliation qualify for a church pension plan or if they must follow federal laws for pension benefits, a decision that would have a grave financial impact on hospitals.

The Internal Revenue Service claims people are using virtual money to avoid paying taxes and wants it to stop, and a court ruling has moved the IRS one step closer to doing just that.

SAN FRANCISCO – California has been taxing tampons and sanitary napkins for years, classifying them as “luxury” items, while labeling items like Viagra and Lubriderm lotion as” medical necessities. Now the court is being asked to change that classification.

SAN DIEGO – A group of parents and the nonprofit Education 4 All in California are suing the state over a new law (Senate Bill 277) requiring children to be vaccinated to attend school, which went into effect July 1.

SILICON VALLEY – More than 30 years of intellectual property knowledge (IP) is being added to Orrick. James Pooley, Orrick's new senior counsel, is bringing his passion for protecting trade secrets, his decades of cybersecurity knowledge and his international experience with him to Silicon Valley.

SAN FRANCISCO – Sharing your streaming password with a friend for a night is unlikely to lead you to jail, but taking information from your ex-employer with a former co-worker probably will.