First Take: Health and Welfare

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Duke Helfand reports on new state regulations for HMOs.Republican gubernatorial hopeful Steve Poizner has locked up the endorsement of former Gov. George Deukmejian.

A new tobacco-control report card is in, and California cities didn’t fare so well.

Today’s Field Poll shows Californians are pessimistic about their financial futures.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is in Stanford, Calif., this evening to discuss energy policy at the Hoover Institution. The Legislature is back from its holiday weekend, and Assembly Republicans are ready to elect Martin Garrick (R-Solana Beach) as their new leader.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina is lunching in North Hollywood to drum up support for her campaign.

Tonight, Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders leave for Washington, D.C., to lobby the federal government for financial help. The group is expected to meet with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer and other members of the California congressional delegation.

-- Anthony York