Latest California Healthline Stories
Female Patients’ Privacy Violated As Part Of Sharp Hospital’s Video Drug Surveillance Operation
The hospital has issued an apology for what it says was a breach of their patients’ privacy. “If you’re missing drugs, you don’t just pop cameras in a place where women are naked. It’s ridiculous that Sharp thought this was a reasonable way to figure this all out,” said one woman.
Theranos Issues Tens Of Thousands Of Corrected Blood-Test Reports
The startup voided two years of results and revised other reports in an effort to stave off harsh sanctions from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
UnitedHealth’s OptumRx Awarded CalPERS $4.9B Prescription Drug Contract
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System board voted unanimously to give the five-year contract to the pharmacy-benefit division of UnitedHealth. OptumRx was the lowest bidder for the contract, which starts Jan. 1. The company’s bid totaled $4.88 billion for the five-year cost of prescription drugs, including rebates and the company’s administrative fees.
Senate Passes $1.1B In Zika Funding With Push From Southern Republicans
Meanwhile, the House, ignoring veto threats and pleas from Democrats, has put forth legislation that would provide only $622 million in resources to fight the outbreak, about one-third of what President Barack Obama requested.
Judge Rules In Favor Of Homeless Ex-Inmates Fighting For Better Mental Health Discharge Services
The federal judge says the group can continue to fight Los Angeles County in court over jail release policies. The ex-inmates, in an effort to break through the jail-to-skid row cycle, want better discharge services, including prescriptions for medication and referrals to community mental health treatment providers.
Advocate Gains New Perspective After Cancer Diagnosis
“It’s interesting because being on the other side I am seeing what patients go through and the patient’s journey,” Kathryn West says. “It’s a complicated maze that no one should have to traverse when they are fighting this.”
Calif. Cases Highlight A Growing Resistance To Brain-Death Diagnosis
Attorney Chris Dolan has become a leader in the movement after he took on the case of Jahi McMath, an Oakland teen who had been declared brain dead in 2013.
Many Loved Ones Cling To Hope Over Reason In End-Of-Life Talks With Doctors, Study Finds
According to the new report, families and friends frequently hold beliefs that would prompt them to demand aggressive and often futile treatments for their loved one.
Judge Knocks Down Beverage Industry’s Attempt To Stop Warnings On Ads For Sugary Drinks
A new law in San Francisco — set to go into effect July 25 — will require billboards and other advertisements for sugary drinks to include language warning about their link to obesity, tooth decay and diabetes. The American Beverage Association filed a complaint to stop the legislation, but a federal judge denied the request for a preliminary injunction.
Hospital Employee Pleads No Contest To Inappropriately Touching Patients Who Are Under Anesthesia
During the course of their investigation, Redwood City police identified four victims, police said.