Latest California Healthline Stories
Zika Battle To Get $60M Boost From Feds Just As Virus Is Found In More Widespread Mosquito
After discovering Zika in the Culex mosquito, scientists are warning that more research is needed. But if they begin detecting the virus in the species in large numbers and on a consistent basis, experts say “that would be a game changer.”
Doctor Whose Patient Died Of Accidental Opioid Overdose Faces Discipline
Dr. Clyde Ikuta prescribed the patient methadone without ever giving him a drug test despite a past history of heroin abuse and continued to refill his prescription even after he said his medication had been stolen five days after it was prescribed, documents say. Elsewhere, another doctor was given five years probation in a different opioid case.
Ballot 2016: Making Sure California Uses Matching Medicaid Funds Properly
Proposition 52 would ensure that Medicaid dollars would be directed to Medi-Cal patients and to helping pay for health care for children from low-income households.
Kaiser Hospitals Embrace New Technology To Avoid Getting ‘Stuck On The Realities Of Today’
Kaiser Permanente wants to be ahead of the curve when it comes to how technology can help its patients and is pushing companies to be creative instead of just using what’s available on the market.
State Law Forces Cities To Scramble To Adjust Medical Marijuana Regulations
The Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act adds extra requirements to pot businesses.
FDA Lags On Rule To Strengthen Protections For Patients Using Generics
Only makers of brand-name drugs have a legal duty to update their warning labels if they learn of new risks or side effects, the Supreme Court ruled five years ago. But that leaves millions of users in an unregulated safety gap.
Attorney’s Testimony Sheds Light On Way Injured Workers Are Used For Profit
Workers’ comp attorney Sean E. O’Keefe says he paid for most of the clients that came through his door. His testimony was recently unsealed in one of a dozen criminal cases against more than 100 people who made their living off the medical care rendered to California’s injured workers.
DOJ Sues To Block Health Care Mega-Mergers; Calif. Joins Feds Against Anthem-Cigna Deal
The department says the Aetna-Humana and Anthem-Cigna deals would lead to higher prices and reduced benefits for consumers. California Attorney Gen. Kamala Harris joined in, saying the mergers would “threaten the availability and quality of medical care” around Los Angeles and other California markets.
Justice Department Sues To Block Health Care Mega-Mergers
The department says the Aetna-Humana and Anthem-Cigna mergers would lead to higher prices and reduced benefits for consumers.
Study Finds Only A Third Of Insurers Made Money On Marketplace Plans In 2014
Overall profits for insurers were down because of higher payouts, the Commonwealth Fund reports.