- California Healthline Original Stories 5
- Latinos Left Out Of Clinical Trials ... And Possible Cures
- Cruz Plan Gets Thumbs Up From HHS But Thumbs Down From Most Everyone Else
- Postcard From Capitol Hill: Lawmakers Put Women’s Health Care In Its Place
- Fraud And Billing Mistakes Cost Medicare — And Taxpayers — Tens Of Billions Last Year
- These Preventive Measures Might Help Delay Dementia Or Cognitive Decline
- Health Care Personnel 1
- Multiple Internal Investigations Launched Into Behavior Of Former Med School Dean
- Marketplace 1
- Kaiser Permanente Agrees To Certain Benchmarks As It Tries To Improve Mental Health Services
- Public Health and Education 1
- Will Comprehensive Health, Lifestyle Choices Help Stave Off Dementia? Scientists Want To Find Out
Latest From California Healthline:
California Healthline Original Stories
Latinos Left Out Of Clinical Trials ... And Possible Cures
Fewer than 8 percent of enrollees in medical studies are Hispanic. Those who don't participate have less access to cutting-edge treatments, and researchers have less data on how a drug works within the Hispanic population. (Paula Andalo, )
Cruz Plan Gets Thumbs Up From HHS But Thumbs Down From Most Everyone Else
During another day of fast-moving developments, Senate Republicans signaled their intent to attempt to bring an updated repeal-and-delay bill to the floor for a vote next week. (Julie Appleby and Julie Rovner, )
Postcard From Capitol Hill: Lawmakers Put Women’s Health Care In Its Place
Where women prefer to go for health care becomes a proxy for the abortion debate. (Rachel Bluth, )
Fraud And Billing Mistakes Cost Medicare — And Taxpayers — Tens Of Billions Last Year
At a hearing Wednesday, federal health officials pointed to billing errors, fraud and overcharges that led Medicare to overpay by staggering sums. (Fred Schulte, )
These Preventive Measures Might Help Delay Dementia Or Cognitive Decline
Recent research shows that controlling blood pressure, exercising and cognitive training around middle age could help prevent cognitive decline or Alzheimer’s disease. (Judith Graham, )
More News From Across The State
Multiple Internal Investigations Launched Into Behavior Of Former Med School Dean
The Los Angeles Times published a story on Dr. Carmen A. Puliafito's private life earlier in the week, which has sparked serious concerns among the leaders and students of USC's Keck School of Medicine.
Los Angeles Times:
Alleged Conduct By Former USC Dean 'Horrible And Despicable,' Med School Head Tells Angry Students
Addressing scores of bewildered and at times angry students, the dean of USC’s medical school said Wednesday that the university had launched multiple internal investigations into the conduct of his predecessor after The Times reported that he associated with criminals and drug abusers who told of using methamphetamine and other drugs with him. (Parvini, Pringle, Hamilton and Elmahrek, 7/19)
Kaiser Permanente Agrees To Certain Benchmarks As It Tries To Improve Mental Health Services
The company reached a settlement agreement with the California Department of Managed Health Care, and will face potential fines if it does not improve the deficiencies.
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Kaiser And State Officials Reach Settlement Agreement Over Deficiencies In Mental Health Care
Kaiser Permanente and the California Department of Managed Health Care announced this week a settlement agreement aimed at resolving “deficiencies” in the HMO’s oversight and access to its mental health services, DMHC officials said. The agreement, which acknowledges significant steps taken by Kaiser to improve access to and monitoring of mental health services, lays out a number of steps the HMO must take within a specified time frame. Failure to do so could result in fines, officials said. (Espinoza, 6/19)
Previous California Healthline coverage: Settlement Reached On Kaiser Permanente’s Repeated Mental Health Care Deficiencies
Will Comprehensive Health, Lifestyle Choices Help Stave Off Dementia? Scientists Want To Find Out
A $20 million study will try to figure out if "life hacks" -- like more exercise -- can have an effect on protecting from dementia.
Los Angeles Times:
U.S. Researchers Are Trying A Series Of Life Hacks To Try To Ward Off Dementia
Facing a predicted tidal wave of dementia sufferers, researchers across the United States are launching an ambitious clinical trial to test whether a package of low-tech life hacks can do something no pill or therapy currently can: prevent or delay cognitive impairment in Americans. (Healy, 7/19)
In other news on aging —
California Healthline:
These Preventive Measures Might Help Delay Dementia Or Cognitive Decline
In a landmark report, scientists have endorsed three strategies for preventing dementia and cognitive decline associated with normal aging — being physically active, engaging in cognitive training and controlling high blood pressure. This is the first time experts convened by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine have deemed scientific evidence strong enough to suggest that preventing dementia and age-related cognitive decline might be possible. (Graham, 7/20)
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
Alzheimer's Diagnosis Often Mistaken, But New Blood Test May Improve Accuracy
The discovery that many people diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s instead suffer from some other type of memory loss was made through the IDEAS study, which presented results among nearly 4,000 people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Those participants’ brains were scanned with PET imaging technology to detect plaques of beta amyloid, a toxic protein that defines Alzheimer’s...The IDEAS undertaking was launched last year at UC San Francisco to better document the use of PET scans in diagnosing and treating Alzheimer’s. Each of these scans costs thousands of dollars, and it hasn’t been entirely clear whether the results are clinically useful. (Fikes, 6/19)
The Bakersfield Californian:
'I'm Falling, I'm Falling.' State Blames Elderly Dementia Patient's Death On Valley Convalescent Hospital Care, Fines Facility $100,000
An 80-year-old dementia patient fell from his bed and died at Valley Convalescent Hospital in February, something a state public health investigation determined this month came as a direct result of poor care at that facility.The hospital has been fined $100,000 and received a “Class AA Citation,” the most severe penalty under state law, the California Department of Public Health announced Wednesday morning. If the facility incurs another Class AA Citation in a two-year period, it could risk losing its license. (Pierce, 7/19)
After Watching Nevada Struggle, California Takes Steps To Protect Marijuana Supply
Legal sales began July 1 in Nevada, but it immediately became clear there was not enough supply to meet demand, in part because unique rules provide alcohol wholesalers exclusive distributor rights.
Los Angeles Times:
California Is Working To Avoid A Shortage Of Legalized Marijuana, State Pot Czar Says
With Nevada suffering a shortage of legalized marijuana, California’s state pot czar said Wednesday that efforts are being made in her state to make sure sufficient licenses go to farmers, testers and distributors to supply retailers... Legal sales began July 1 in Nevada, but it immediately became clear there was not enough supply to meet demand, in part because unique rules provide alcohol wholesalers exclusive distributor rights. (McGreevy, 7/19)
Free Clinic Celebrates Big Milestone After Nearly 10 Years Of Service
The Order of the Malta Clinic for Northern California just saw its 25,000th patient.
East Bay Times:
Oakland: Free Clinic Surpasses 25,000th Appointment
The clinic, on the campus of the Cathedral of Christ the Light on the shores of Lake Merritt, just celebrated its 25,000th patient visit in nearly 10 years of service. And while it fills a need that is urgent and growing in the Bay Area — health care for people who have no insurance — it’s relatively unknown in the city...The clinic is what Christian calls “the first line of defense” for people with no health care, which is the only requirement for service. They are not an emergency clinic but rather are specialists who help patients with diabetes care or heart issues, for example, before those issues land the patients in the emergency room. Exams and tests are free, and the clinic works with a network of pharmacies to help patients get the most low-cost medicines available. (Casey, 7/19)
In other news from across the state —
Orange County Register:
Emergency Shelter For Homeless Families With Children Opening In Orange
HomeAid Orange County spent more than a year searching for a building to turn into an emergency shelter that could serve as a safe, temporary haven for homeless families with children. The organization scoured Orange County before finding the right place in a light industrial area, close to public transit and near the Orange Police Department: an empty building whose owner held indoor workouts for his daughter’s softball team. (Walker, 7/19)
Los Angeles Times:
Plan Calls For L.A., Long Beach Ports To Go To Zero-Emissions Technology; Cost Could Hit $14 Billion
The nation’s largest port complex will seek to slash air pollution and health risks to Southern Californians by replacing diesel trucks and cargo equipment with zero-emissions technology over the next two decades, according to a plan released Wednesday. The Long Beach and Los Angeles ports’ Clean Air Action Plan aims to further reduce health-damaging and planet-warming emissions at the sprawling hub for thousands of freight-moving trucks, trains and ships — at a projected cost of up to $14 billion in public and private funds. (Barboza, 7/19)
Orange County Register:
Laguna Niguel To Unveil Drug Overdose-Awareness Memorial
Later this year, Laguna Niguel will unveil a drug overdose-awareness memorial at Crown Valley Park. Approved at the June 20 council meeting, the memorial includes the installation of a boulder embedded with an 8-inch by 10-inch plaque that will be placed underneath a tree. (Newell, 7/19)
Night Of The Living Dead: Senators Work To Revive Zombie Trumpcare Bill Late Into Evening
Republicans cite good progress on the legislation that had been declared all-but-dead earlier in the day but large obstacles remain that have stymied previous efforts.
The New York Times:
Trump Demands That Senators Find A Way To Replace Obamacare
President Trump ordered senators back to the negotiating table on Wednesday for a last-ditch effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, just one day after angrily accepting the measure’s demise and vowing to allow President Barack Obama’s signature domestic achievement to crater. (Davis, Kaplan and Haberkorn, 7/19)
The New York Times:
Republicans’ Push To Overturn Health Law Is Back From The Dead
The Republican health care push was declared dead Wednesday morning. By afternoon it had a breath of life. Legislation in Washington can assume Frankenstein-like qualities. On the cusp of a humiliating and politically disastrous defeat, President Trump and the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, took extraordinary resuscitative measures on Wednesday to pump oxygen back into their badly fading effort to overturn the Affordable Care Act. They somehow managed to stave off its imminent demise. (Hulse, 7/19)
Reuters:
Republicans Meet Late Into Night As Trump Demands New Healthcare Plan
Republicans struggling to agree on healthcare legislation to overhaul Obamacare obeyed U.S. President Donald Trump's orders to try to swiftly reach a deal but were unable to resolve their differences in a long, late-night meeting. (Abutaleb and Cowan, 7/20)
Politico:
Senate Republicans Still At Impasse After Late-Night Health Care Meeting
The Republicans initially planned to bring in chiefs of staff and health care wonks to advance the negotiations. White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus was expected to join and help push the disagreeing GOP senators to yes. But as the senators kept talking, they reevaluated their plan and decided not to allow staff in and keep the room to members only. Priebus strolled out of Sen. John Barrasso’s office, as did White House legislative director Marc Short. The senators would keep talking amongst themselves. Talks “narrowed down to try to figure out what is causing members not to be able to vote in favor or problems they have with the bill,” said Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), who opposes the GOP’s latest repeal and replace draft. “It had merit and it’s something that should have been taking place.” (Everett, Kim and Haberkorn, 7/19)
The Associated Press:
Trump Exhorts Senate Anew To Rid US Of Obamacare
Lecturing fellow Republicans, President Donald Trump summoned GOP senators to the White House Wednesday and told them face-to-face they must not leave town for their August recess without sending him an "Obamacare" repeal bill to sign. Senators responded by vowing to revive legislative efforts left for dead twice already this week. (Werner and Fram, 7/19)
USA Today:
Donald Trump Hosts Republicans For Lunch To Hash Out Health Care Plan
"I don't think we should leave town unless we have a health insurance plan," Trump said during a White House lunch attended by 49 of the 52 Republican senators. "We shouldn't leave town until this is complete, until this bill is on my desk." (Jackson, 7/19)
The Washington Post:
Trump Threatens Electoral Consequences For Senators Who Oppose Health Bill
At the lunch, the president also threatened electoral consequences for senators who oppose him, suggesting that Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) could lose his reelection bid next year if he does not back the effort. The president also invited conservative opposition against anyone else who stands in the way.“ Any senator who votes against starting debate is really telling America that you’re fine with Obamacare,” Trump said. (Sullivan, Snell and Nakamura, 7/19)
The New York Times:
Inspiring Little Fear In Senators, Trump Struggles To Sell Health Bill
President Trump thought he could sell balky Republican senators like Ron Johnson of Wisconsin on the Senate health care bill through pleasantries, cajoling and, ultimately, some Oval Office muscle. But Mr. Johnson could not be charmed. He could not be outbargained. And he could not be scared into supporting the measure for the sake of a president whose inability to bend fellow Republicans toward his political will has become a liability for his young presidency. (Thrush and Haberman, 7/20)
NPR:
Fact Check: Trump's Misleading Health Care Remarks To Senate Republicans
President Trump did not do much to sell the Senate health care bill before its failure. But he gave the sale a shot Wednesday in the White House before cameras and a captive audience of nearly all the Republican senators. His comments were at times confusing, and in some cases, outright incorrect. It shows the challenge for a president who doesn't dive deeply into policy to sell his agenda. (Kurtzleben, 7/20)
The Associated Press:
AP-NORC Poll: Negotiate On 'Obamacare,' Don't Just Kill It
Americans overwhelmingly want lawmakers of both parties to work out health care changes, with only 13 percent supporting Republican moves to repeal "Obamacare" absent a replacement, according to a new poll. Although a deep partisan divide endures over the 2010 Affordable Care Act, people may be less far apart on what policymakers should try next, says the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey. (Swanson and Alonso-Zaldivar, 7/19)
Repeal-Only Bill's Estimated Impact: 32 Million More Uninsured, 25 Percent Premium Spikes
But the legislation would still decrease deficits by $473 billion over 10 years because of the spending reductions, the Congressional Budget Office projects.
USA Today:
CBO: Obamacare Repeal Plan Would Increased Number Of Uninsured By 32 Million
A bill the Senate plans to vote on next week to repeal parts of Obamacare without a replacement would make the insurance market unstable, raise premiums and increase by 32 million the number of uninsured people, according to an analysis released Wednesday by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office. While repealing billions of dollars in taxes imposed under Obamacare to pay for expanding health coverage to millions more Americans, the legislation would still decrease deficits by $473 billion over 10 years because of the spending reductions. (Groppe, 7/19)
Politico:
Senate 'Repeal Only' Bill Would Leave 32 Million More Uninsured, CBO Says
The nonpartisan scorekeeper’s report projects that 17 million people would lose insurance in the first year after a partial repeal that includes ending Obamacare’s Medicaid expansion and repealing most of the taxes tied to the law. Premiums would jump 25 percent over that same period as insurers grapple with the effective elimination of Obamacare’s requirement that everyone purchase coverage. (Cancryn, 7/19)
The CT Mirror:
CBO: Obamacare Repeal Bill Would Result In 32 Million Additional Uninsured
One reason premiums would sharply increase is that the legislation – which would voted on in the Senate under a process known as reconciliation – is unable to repeal certain ACA provisions that do not have a budgetary impact, the CBO said. So the “repeal” bill would leave some ACA mandates in place. (Radelat, 7/19)
McCain Diagnosed With Aggressive Type Of Brain Cancer
Sen. John McCain's extended absence leaves Republicans with only 51 votes as they try to pass significant health care and tax legislation.
The New York Times:
John McCain Has Brain Cancer, Senator’s Office Says
Senator John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee known for his independent streak over more than three decades representing Arizona in the Senate, has brain cancer, his office disclosed Wednesday night in a statement from the Mayo Clinic. Mr. McCain, 80, has a glioblastoma, one of the most common but also one of the most malignant brain tumors. It can be treated with chemotherapy and radiation, but medical experts said it almost always grows back. (Hulse, 7/19)
USA Today/Arizona Republic:
Sen. John McCain Has Brain Tumor, Doctors Say
“It’s a very aggressive tumor,” said Dr. Joseph Zabramski, a neurosurgeon at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix not involved in McCain's treatment. “In general, it is a tumor that has relentless force. You can slow it down but not stop it.” (Nowicki, 7/19)
The Washington Post:
What Is Glioblastoma, The Cancer With Which John McCain Has Been Diagnosed?
Glioblastoma, the cancer with which Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has been diagnosed, is a highly lethal malignancy that killed Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Beau Biden, the son of former vice president Joseph Biden. Here is what you need to know. (McGinley, Sun and Bernstein, 7/19)