Latest California Healthline Stories
FDA To Review New Data on Risks of Anemia Treatments
FDA will examine two new studies submitted by Amgen and Johnson & Johnson on whether the companies’ anemia medications for chemotherapy patients can increase risk of death or tumor growth. The agency added a black box warning to the drugs last year, prompting Medicare to restrict reimbursements. Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times.
Carlyle Group Completes Acquisition of Manor Care
The private equity firm the Carlyle Group finalized its $6.3 billion acquisition of nursing home chain Manor Care. Demand for long-term care services is driving interest in such acquisitions, but they have received criticism from labor unions and lawmakers. Des Moines Register, Washington Post.
Major Hospital Operators Making Progress on Seismic Safety Retrofits
While low-income hospitals are struggling to meet state seismic safety requirements due to rising construction costs, facilities operated by Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health and Catholic Healthcare West are showing progress toward meeting seismic standards. Capitol Weekly.
Reporting of Health Data Has Slim Effect on Market
National surveys show that most people are unaware of health quality comparison report cards and that those who are familiar with the report cards are confused by the data. Similarly, studies show patients enrolled in high-deductible health plans are no more cost conscious than others. Oregonian.
Recent Studies Show Harmful Impact of Lack of Insurance
An editorial says that studies by Harvard Medical School and the American Cancer Society “leave little doubt that health improves when people gain insurance coverage.” Both studies found worse health outcomes among the uninsured than among people with health insurance. New York Times.
L.A., San Francisco Archives Document History of AIDS
The ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives in Los Angeles, UC-San Francisco and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Historical Society have received federal grants to collect hundreds of thousands of materials related to the history of AIDS. Los Angeles Times.
Public Health Officials Weigh Monitoring of Drug-Resistant Staph
The California Department of Public Health is considering whether to require counties to report staph infections as part of efforts to reduce the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. KQED’s “The California Report.”
Report Urges Action To Boost Kids’ Health Care in California
California’s grade for children’s health insurance dropped from a B- last year to a C in an advocacy group’s annual report card on the quality of life for children in California. The state’s highest mark was for infant and adolescent health care, while high rates of childhood obesity accounted for the state’s lowest score in the report. San Francisco Chronicle, Contra Costa Times.
Enrollment Slow as San Francisco Health Care Program Expands
San Francisco’s health care access program expanded eligibility to uninsured residents whose incomes do not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level. A city official blamed low enrollment on the holidays and confusion over a recent ruling on a funding provision. San Francisco Chronicle.