Morning Breakouts

Latest California Healthline Stories

This Patent Lawyer May Be Most Powerful Man In Washington When It Comes To Curbing Drug Costs

Newly installed Patent and Trademark Office Director Andrei Iancu holds substantial sway over an intellectual property system that, critics say, has allowed drug makers to extend their monopolies through legal but questionable tactics.

President Thoroughly Embraces ‘Comprehensive’ Gun Control Strategy Leaving Dems Giddy, GOP Scrambling

In a televised session on Wednesday, President Donald Trump signaled support on everything from expanded background checks, increased school security and mental health resources, and age limits. Trump also suggested that law enforcement officials should be able to confiscate people’s firearms without a court order.

Officials Defend Vision Zero Initiative Even As Pedestrian Deaths Surge In LA

The initiative called for a 20 percent reduction in deaths by 2017, and overall Los Angeles only lowered traffic deaths by 3 percent last year. More starkly, the number of pedestrians killed on city streets rose 17 percent over the previous year, and 82 percent since 2015.

As Feds Chip Away At Health Law, Where You Live Will More And More Determine Access, Quality Of Care

Many Republican-led states are rolling back the law’s requirements, while blue states are building up consumer protections. This wildly different strategy will lead to a health care divide in America, experts say. Meanwhile, the legal minds behind the 20-state lawsuit against the health law are painstakingly plotting their path to the Supreme Court.

Fiscally Troubled Ventura County Medical Center Brings In Outside Help To Tune Of $750K

The health care system was projected at the end of December to finish the fiscal year with a $2.4 million loss, off about $10 million from a profit of $8 million that was initially forecast. Huron Consulting Services is being brought in to try to right the ship.