Latest California Healthline Stories
VA Seeks To Cut Down On Wait Times With ‘MinuteClinics’ Collaboration In Palo Alto
The VA Palo Alto Health Care System has launched a partnership with CVS in an effort to get veterans timely care for more acute conditions. In other news, critics are blasting VA Secretary Robert McDonald for comparing clinic wait times to long lines at Disneyland.
Legislature Considers Bill To Allow Organ Transplants Between HIV-Positive Patients
The measure is expected to pass the Assembly Health Committee and then the full Assembly by the end of this week. The Senate has already approved it. The practice is currently permissible under federal law, but not under California state law.
Citing Possible Conflict Of Interest, Medi-Cal Commission Rejects Bids To Manage Pharmacy Benefits
The panel voted unanimously to restart the process to decide what company will manage a pharmacy program for the Gold Coast Health Plan. In other Medi-Cal news, a ballot measure proposes to use hospital fees to fund the low-income health program.
CDC Reports Nearly 300 Pregnant Women In U.S. Infected With Zika
Due to a new method in reporting the cases, the known number of pregnant woman who have been affected has nearly tripled. Meanwhile, calls for proper funding to battle the outbreak have increased in urgency, as states try to get control of the virus without the money to do it.
FDA Puts Sugar In Cross Hairs With New Nutrition Fact Labels
Among other changes, the labels will be required to list added sugars and reflect accurate serving sizes. Manufacturers have until July 2018 to comply with the new rule.
Din Erupts Over Obama’s Proposed Medicare Payment Plan
Patient advocates, doctors and drug companies have all come out strongly against the new payment model that they say focuses more on the costs than quality of care for those who need the medication. In other Medicare news, ever since the program announced it would pay for end-of-life talks the once-controversial conversations have become more common.
Sonoma May Rein In Relatively Lax Outdoor Smoking Regulations
The City Council has voted to prohibit smoking on all streets and sidewalks, but voters have to sign off on the guidelines in November.
Court Grants Family Of Brain-Dead Toddler A Reprieve
Kaiser Permanente was set to take Israel Stinson off a ventilator Friday, but a court is allowing his mother time to bolster her case.
Hospitals’ Building Boom Means Better Access For San Joaquin Valley Children
Competitors Valley Children’s Hospital and Community Medical Center will spend millions on building pediatric networks. They say the expansion plans are driven by demand for care and not an on-going feud.
San Francisco Startup Specializing In Medicare Managed Care Market Gets $160M In Funding
Clover Health says it will use the new funding to scale its technology and data science platforms and expand into new, undisclosed markets.