Latest California Healthline Stories
Hospitals Grapple With New California Law Geared Toward Preventing ‘Patient Dumping’
The law was designed to curb the practice of discharging homeless patients back onto the streets. But hospitals’ resources, which are already stretched thin, are being strained by the weight of the new requirements.
Corona-Based Group Bids $610 To Purchase Four Verity Health System Hospitals
Verity Health filed for bankruptcy in August 2018 and has since been seeking buyers of its hospitals. If KPC Group’s bid is approved by a court next month, an auction could be held in April.
On The Docket For The LGBT Caucus: Conversion Therapy Ban, Teacher Training And More
Just under 6 percent of California legislators are openly lesbian, gay or bisexual, a number that has grown over the past two-and-a-half decades. “You don’t get any respect unless you’re in the room where it happens,” said Sheila Kuehl of Santa Monica, who became California’s first openly gay or lesbian legislator in 1994.
Viewpoints: Don’t Sneer At Newsom’s Ambitious Health Care Agenda
A selection of opinions on health care developments from around the state.
FDA To Focus On Drug Review Process As Shutdown Forces Agency To Make Tough Prioritization Decisions
Drugs to treat epilepsy, triple-negative breast cancer and spinal muscular atrophy are just a few of the medications slated for review over the next several months. But there’s only so much time that FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb can buy with dwindling funds. Meanwhile, a furloughed worker who had to start rationing her insulin puts a face to the troubles thousands of people are facing as the shutdown drags on.
A government watchdog report found that there was an influx of separations even before the “zero tolerance” policy drew international outrage last year. The total number of children separated from a parent or guardian by immigration authorities is “unknown,” but officials estimate it being in the thousands.
The effects of a changing climate on health range from heat exposure, a worsening of chronic conditions because of air pollution, food insecurity, infectious diseases from ticks and insects, and more.
As companies face more political pressure to help battle homelessness and the housing shortage in tech-heavy areas, Microsoft has pledged $225 million in loans for middle-income housing, $250 million in loans for low-income housing and $25 million in grants for homelessness solutions.
San Francisco General Hospital Lacks A Good Way To Deal With Patients Who Are Actually Insured
The hospital exists mostly to serve as the city’s medical safety net, with most of its patients on either on Medicare or Medi-Cal or without insurance completely. The trauma center has no contracts with private insurance companies, so patients who are actually insured can get stuck with astronomical bills.
Advocates say the first-in-the-nation legislation will offer economic empowerment to people who can’t afford to cook in a professional kitchen. But there are restrictions that come with the measure.