Morning Breakouts

Latest California Healthline Stories

USC Reaches $215 Million Settlement With Patients Of Campus Gynecologist Accused Of Sexual Misconduct

Women who received health services from the University of Southern California’s longtime campus gynecologist George Tyndall will be eligible to receive $2,500, according to the university. Those who provide details on their experiences under his care could receive up to $250,000 more.

Is Peace Of Mind Enough To Get People To Buy Health Care Coverage On The Exchanges?

Covered California officials are anticipating an enrollment drop now that the penalty for not buying coverage has been zeroed out. The anticipated departure of some consumers from the pool accounts for part of an 8.7 percent average rate increase next year for Obamacare plans offered by 11 insurers in California.

Renewed Repeal Talk Puts GOP Leadership On Collision Course With Candidates Under Attack Over Health Law Stances

In recent days, both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Rep. Steve Scalise, the House majority whip and possible next speaker, have said that health law repeal may be revisited after the elections. Republicans on the trail, though, have been on the defense for months, scrambling to counter Democrats’ attack ads saying that the GOP wants to strip away protections for preexisting conditions. The dichotomy is causing tension within the party just a little over two weeks out from the midterms. Meanwhile, McConnell is defending the lawsuit that is at the heart of much of the rhetoric against the GOP candidates, saying, “It’s not secret that we preferred to start over.”

Two San Diego Researchers Land On Time’s List Of 50 Most Influential Figures In Health Care

Steffanie Strathdee, an epidemiologist at UC San Diego, has been working with phage therapy, which uses viruses to battle bacteria. And Juan Carlos Belmonte is trying to address the shortage of organs for transplants. Time Magazine said said its list is meant to highlight innovation in a health care system that “has been plagued for decades by major problems.”

Prop. 2 Would Create New Housing For An Estimated 20,000 Homeless People With Severe Mental Illness

The proposition has broad support from a variety of organizations, including law-enforcement groups and the statewide National Alliance on Mental Illness, but some critics are worried about how much funding the project will take. In other news, Prop. 4, a ballot measure to approve funding for children’s hospitals, will also go in front of voters in November.

Drug Prices In Ads Could Cause Sticker Shock For Consumers, Forcing Pharma To Tinker With Marketing Strategies

Experts don’t predict the proposed requirement would cause a broad pullback of ad campaigns, but companies will have to make some tough, and possibly expensive, choices. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump hints at a big win for drugmakers with a big change to Medicaid’s rebate rule.