Latest California Healthline Stories
Married Couple Says Employer Denied Insurance Over Sexual Orientation, Files Lawsuit
In a federal discrimination suit, the Alhambra, Calif. women say Colorado-based Cherry Creek Mortgage refused to provide them spousal health insurance coverage. In other news from around the state: San Joaquin County reports local diarrhea outbreak; a clinic provides meals for farmworkers; and guidance on baby bonding.
FDA Issues New Approvals For Leukemia, Ovarian Cancer Medicines
The Food and Drug Administration approves a new Pfizer drug to treat a rare, fast-progressing form of leukemia. The agency also expands the use Lynparza, sold by AstraZeneca and Merck & Co, to treat recurrent ovarian cancer. In other pharmaceutical news, changes to 340B program are delayed and a biopharma executive encounters challenges when trying to fund his own project.
House Democrats Push Pharmaceutical Companies To Explain High Costs Of MS Drugs
Two Democratic lawmakers, Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland and Rep. Peter Welch of Vermont, are pressing Bayer, Biogen, EMD Serono, Novartis, Sanofi, Teva, and Roche Pharmaceuticals for an explanation of the pricing strategies and whether companies were increasing prices as part of a coordinated effort.
Settlement Finalized Between Mylan, Feds Over EpiPen Overcharges To Medicaid
The $465 million settlement announced Thursday by the Department of Justice resolves claims that Mylan avoided paying rebates to the government by improperly classifying the EpiPen as a generic drug. Mylan and its auto-injector product have been at the center of the national debate over prescription drug costs.
Congressional Clock Is Ticking On Efforts To Shore Up Obamacare Insurance Markets
Though some senators say they are cautiously optimistic, it is not yet clear if lawmakers will be able to reach agreement before a self-imposed mid-September deadline. Meanwhile, the outcome of the trial of Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) could have a serious impact on the Senate’s ability to either repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, or to fix it. And Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) questions congressional coverage.
Viewpoints: Medi-Cal Hospital Payments; Controlling Drug Prices
A selection of opinions on health care developments from around the state.
Nurses Need Better Education About Maternal Mortality To Help New Moms, Survey Finds
Postpartum nurses often fail to warn mothers about potentially life-threatening complications following childbirth due to their own lack of information. In other maternal health care news: the breast-feeding gap; doulas; and microbes that help reduce sepsis risk in newborns.
Hacks Targeting Health Care Data Spike 162% Over Last Year
Security experts account for the jump by saying that hacking has gotten easier and more organizations are now reporting incidents. In other health industry news, UnitedHealth CEO Stephen Hemsley steps down and the insurer’s current president David Wichmann will take over the position.
More Doctors Speak Out On Facing Racism From Patients
One emergency room doctor’s tale sparks debate in the medical community. Meanwhile, other medical personnel news from around California are reported today.
Santa Clara County’s Homeless Deaths Increase 164%
The report, however, also finds that the average age of the homeless people who died rose to 62 in 2016, well above other areas. Meanwhile, two fires in the San Diego area are classified as hoarding situations.