Morning Breakouts

Latest California Healthline Stories

Legislation To Fund Calif. VA Clinics Put On Hold Over Political Spat About Benefits

The halt in consideration of the bill throws into limbo plans to build outpatient clinics in the California cities of Alameda, Oxnard and Santa Rosa; to increase earthquake protections to buildings in Long Beach, Los Angeles and San Francisco; to construct a research facility in Mission Bay; and to realign medical facilities in Livermore.

Calif. Advances Plan To Allow Immigrants In U.S. Illegally Access To Exchange

The Senate bill directs the state to petition the government to allow individuals who are in the country illegally to purchase health care through Covered California under the Affordable Care Act. They would not be eligible for subsidies.

UnitedHealth’s Exit From State’s Obamacare Exchange To Have Little Impact On California Consumers

Although it’s a key market, the decision will affect less than one-tenth of a percent of consumers on the exchange, a Covered California official says.

ACOs Will Face ‘Uphill Battle’ In Qualifying For Exemptions After IRS Ruling

The agency recently denied a tax exemption sought by an accountable care organization that coordinates care for people with commercial insurance, saying the network negotiated agreements with insurers on behalf of doctors — and that is not a charitable activity. The decision could impact ACOs that do not coordinate care for Medicare beneficiaries. Meanwhile, The New York Times offers a look at a clandestine meeting that took place with IRS officials over the Affordable Care Act.

State Agency To Reevaluate Lead Contamination At Jordan Downs Housing Complex

The review follows a scandal involving racially charged emails that is causing the California Department of Toxic Substance Control to investigate a number of cases.

San Bernardino County Slowly Finding Its New Normal Following Mass Shooting

About 35 percent of the county’s Division of Environmental Health Services workforce were wounded or killed in the event. And while about half the staff remains on leave, Corwin Porter, assistant director for the county Department of Public Health says things are looking up. About 20 new health inspectors hired in the last six months have completed training and are ready to work.

Hospital Worker’s 5-Year Drug Theft Spree Potentially Endangered San Diego Patients

A surgical technician worked his way through hospitals on the West Coast, replacing sterile, narcotic-filled syringes with potentially unclean syringes containing a saline solution. So far, hospitals in or around San Diego, Seattle, Phoenix and Denver have asked 6,350 former patients to come in for blood tests to check for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Dermatologist Specializes In Treating Underserved Patients With Diverse Skin Tones

The Sacramento Bee profiles the work of UC Davis’ Dr. Oma Agbai who trained to work with African-American women. Multicultural dermatology is a growing area of medicine as demographics change.

Senator Calls On Feds To Launch Probe Of Purdue Pharma Over OxyContin Allegations

The Los Angeles Times reported that the manufacturer knew the painkiller didn’t last for 12-hours for some people, which could lead to addiction. In response, Sen. Edward J. Markey is asking the Department of Justice and the FDA to investigate. In other news, Prince’s death puts buprenorphine in the spotlight.