Latest California Healthline Stories
Personal Data Of Nearly 900 Hospital Patients Exposed
The U.S. Department of Justice investigated the incident and said the patient information did not appear to be used or sold.
New Initiative Targets Homeless Patients Who Frequently Seek High-Cost Emergency Care
The Whole Person Care program aims to bring hospitals, behavioral health centers, housing programs and others together to coordinate services for homeless people so they don’t end up on the streets, disoriented and confused.
While the governor might not have to make a decision on single-payer, it’s likely health care will be a big issue in the next few years as California tries to stabilize its marketplace and expand coverage.
LA Violated State Law By Terminating Medi-Cal Coverage For Thousands, Judge Rules
The loss of benefits appear to have resulted from a backlog of applications and a faulty computer system, according to court documents.
Viewpoints: Proposals Like Single-Payer Are More About Wealth Transfers Than Health Care
A selection of opinions on health care developments from around the state.
Short-Term Plans Are Same Ones Obama Had For Eight Years, HHS Secretary Says In Face Of Criticism
Democrats say the Trump administration’s proposal to extend short-term plans will weaken the marketplace by allowing healthy people to buy coverage that’s not compliant with the health law. But HHS Secretary Alex Azar says it’s just returning to a status quo that only changed in 2017.
Proposals In Trump’s Long-Awaited Speech On Curbing Drug Prices Only Expected To Have Modest Impact
President Donald Trump is expected to focus on pharmacy benefit managers, foreign governments and generic drugs in his speech today. He’s reportedly backed away from a campaign talking point on allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices. Critics have been quick to point out that the proposals will do little to rock the pharma industry, which Trump once claimed was “getting away with murder.”
A bill working its way through the Legislature is trying to curb the practice of “patient dumping,” but for now the issue is pervasive across the state and country.
Thousands Of Dirty Syringes Are Ending Up On The Streets And Parks Of San Francisco
To address the problem, San Francisco Mayor Farrell has hired 10 workers whose sole job will be to pick up needles starting in June. The city has no plans on changing its program that hands out free needles. “Research shows that reducing access to clean syringes increases disease and does not improve the problem of needle litter,” said Barbara Garcia, director of the Department of Public Health.
Companies Who Sold Lead Paint Despite Knowing Its Risks Want To Shift Cleanup Bill To Taxpayers
The companies’ argument is that the ruling that they are responsible for paying to clean up the sites rewards landlords who have neglected their properties, and also creates new burdens for homeowners whose houses have lead paint but do not qualify for abatement funding based on criteria set by the court.