Latest California Healthline Stories
Study Links Risk Of Painkiller Addiction To Type Of Surgery
Because surgeries like knee replacements, breast surgeries and hip replacements have particularly painful post-operative recovery, patients undergoing them are at higher risk of becoming addicted.
After Pair Of Suicide Clusters Hits Palo Alto, CDC Weighs In With Recommendations
The report stresses the importance of focused outreach to male youths, as well as to those with a current mental health problem and those who have experienced a recent crisis. In other news, researchers find room for improvement with California’s suicide hotlines.
With Proper Drugs, HIV-Positive Patients Have Low Risk For Sexual Transmission
A new study finds that patients who are HIV-positive and taking antiretroviral drugs have a low risk of spreading the virus to their partner, even if they are not using condoms. Doctors, however, warn about placing too much weight on the findings.
State Medical Board Revokes Buena Park Doctor’s License After Fraud Conviction
Augustus Ohemeng served as medical director of Pacific Clinic in Long Beach, where he billed Medicare for unnecessary tests and procedures, according to prosecutors.
UC Irvine Gets Millions To Fund War Against Deadly Hospital-Acquired Infections
UCI and the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute are leading a patient safety research program to cut down on the number of hospitalized patients who contract an infection while receiving treatment for other conditions.
Health Net Sued Over $55M In Medical Services
San Clemente-based Sovereign Health, which provides mental health and addiction treatments, has filed the suit, saying the insurer’s “current misconduct is part of a sad pattern of prioritizing dollars over decency.”
Theranos’ Downfall Serves As Cautionary Reminder To Silicon Valley Investors
If something seems too good to be true, it just might be. Don’t buy into the hype. Pay attention to red flags. These are just some of the lessons investors may take away when they evaluate what happened with the blood-testing startup.
Ballot 2016: A Marijuana Tax To Fund Homeless Health, Housing Services
In November, Los Angeles County voters will decide on the measure, which county analysts estimated would raise as much as $130 million a year to pay for mental health and substance abuse treatment, among other services. Meanwhile, one lawmaker is worried about a separate ballot initiative — one that would legalize marijuana.
Scales Of Federal Power Could Be Tipped By Wonky Insurance Subsidies Battle
The fight between Democrats and Republicans over Affordable Care Act spending goes beyond health care.
In Critiquing His Health Law, Obama Calls For Congress To Revisit Public Option
President Barack Obama writes an article for The Journal of the American Medical Association summarizing the legacy of his signature legislation and offering ways to improve it. Obama also targets high drug prices as a problem that needs to be addressed by the next president.