Latest California Healthline Stories
Congress Leaves For 7-Week Recess With Zika Funding Unresolved
Legislation to fund the battle against the virus was just one of several bills lawmakers have punted to the fall.
Grand Jury Latest Voice Calling On Eden Health District To Dissolve
Grand jurors criticized the district — which no longer owns and operates a hospital or other direct care assets to deliver acute health care solutions — for spending more time managing real estate holdings than focusing on its core mission to provide medical services.
Santa Cruz Doctor To Go Before Medical Board Over Opioid Prescription Complaint
Dr. William K. Ebert has been accused of prescribing excessive quantities of painkillers to three patients.
It’s Futile To Try To Stop Spread Of Zika, But Epidemic Will Burn Itself Out, Study Suggests
It has already shown signs of slowing down, and will likely grind to a halt within the next three years, researchers say.
Amid Meningitis Outbreak, LA Launches Vaccination Outreach Campaign
Officials will also develop new strategies and tools to help health care providers identify those at risk of the disease and advocate for the vaccine, says Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, interim health officer for the county public health department.
Health Officials: Gas Company’s ‘Deficient’ Porter Ranch Cleanup Re-Victimizes Residents
Public health officials noted they have enough evidence to prove that a thorough cleanup by the Southern California Gas Co. of up to 10,000 homes is warranted.
Ballot 2016: Oakland Soda Tax Opponents’ Tactics ‘Blatant Lies,’ Council Members Claim
Three Oakland City Council members say the beverage industry is calling the initiative a “grocery tax,” which would actually apply to other items in stores rather than just sugary beverages.
Despite Discord Over Funding, Congress Sends Opioid Bill To President’s Desk
The legislation, which passed the Senate 92-2, focuses on treatment and recovery efforts but the authorized spending has not been appropriated. This is “the first time that we’ve treated addiction like the disease that it is,” says Sen. Rob Portman, Republican of Ohio.
National Health Spending Expected To Hit New High Of $10,000 Per Person
CMS estimates that the 5.5 percent increase in 2015 totals $3.2 trillion. After several years of lower growth, the acceleration is largely attributed to a stronger economy, faster growth in medical prices and an aging baby boomers, as well as specialty drug costs.
Following Probe Over Unauthorized Procedures, ME Investigator Shifted To Animal Services
Supervising Investigator Armando Chavez was removed from duty in June 2015 amid an investigation into what were termed “unauthorized postmortem procedures” in the agency. Investigators for the District Attorney’s Office subsequently found Chavez performed postmortem procedures without being licensed to do so.