Latest California Healthline Stories
County Crews Begin Spraying For West Nile Virus: ‘We Feel That Action Is Needed’
Alameda County has had no human cases of West Nile virus this year, but the district says it has logged two positive tests in dead birds, and two groups of positive tests for mosquitoes.
Report Finds Link Between Sexual Assault And Need For Increased Medical Care For Year After Attack
Researchers say the report highlights the need to be training clinicians in how to ask about sexual assault and respond appropriately.
Orange County Formally Opposes Proposed Mobile Needle Exchange: ‘It’s A Failed Experiment’
The supervisors are worried about the amount of dirty needles that might result from the exchange. But the California Department of Public Health has said the needle exchange doesn’t need approval from the cities it plans to operate in. Meanwhile, San Diego sees a surge of fentanyl-related deaths.
CDC researchers emphasized in their report that more than half of those suicides were committed by people who had not been diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Noting that suicide is “very rare” among those with chronic depression, they said friends, families and co-workers should not overlook the risk of self-harm among those who have never been diagnosed with mental illness.
The issue is divisive within the party and also leaves progressive Democrats open for attack from Republicans claiming the candidates are supporting socialized medicine. Democrats are trying to hone their message to signal support for more universal health care while also avoiding the contentious phrase. Meanwhile, health care is found to be top of mind for voters as the midterm elections creep closer.
Businesses Accused Of Selling Toddler Formula With Dangerous Levels Of Lead
The California Department of Justice found levels that exceeded not only levels mandated by California law but also the mandated by less-stringent federal laws. Attorney General Xavier Becerra said his team had issued cease-and-desist orders to both Utah-based Nutraceutical and Newport Beach-based Graceleigh.
The provisions that should be “struck down” include protecting people with pre-existing medical conditions from being charged more or being denied coverage, according to the Justice Department. Now, it will be up to several Democratic state attorneys general, led by California AG Xavier Becerra, to defend the law, and they have already received permission to intervene in the case.
The legislation gives companies more wiggle room, but most of them don’t want it and are not going to use it. Patients are “no better off today with Right to Try than [they were] yesterday,” says Arthur Caplan, head of medical ethics at NYU School of Medicine. In national health care news: lawmakers want companies to develop new antibiotics but they’re not offering any extra incentives for them to do so; Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) wants to increase transparency over payments to patient advocacy groups; tips on getting around pharmacists’ gag rule; and more.
Trump Signs Sweeping VA Overhaul That Expands Private Care Options Into Law
The VA Mission Act, which Congress passed with bipartisan support before Memorial Day, was designed to overhaul the way veterans get private-sector care, close or consolidate underused facilities and provide new incentives to hire doctors, among other changes. Lawmakers are still trying to pay for the legislation, but President Donald Trump is opposed to their plan to fund the changes.
Azar: ‘There’s Little We Can Do To Stop’ High Premium Increases
HHS Secretary Alex Azar, while testifying to Congress Wednesday, defended the Trump administration from claims it was trying to sabotage the health law. Azar also said that President Donald Trump is taking steps to try to make coverage more affordable, such as extending short-term policies and allowing association health plans. The secretary spoke about Medicare, as well.