Morning Breakouts

Latest California Healthline Stories

Humana May Be Next Insurer To Exit Some Obamacare Exchanges

The insurance provider is weighing changes to its 2017 business that could include leaving some Affordable Care Act marketplaces and raising premiums. Humana reports that profits fell 46 percent, in part due to costs related to its merger with Aetna.

Prince Sought Help From Addiction Specialist The Day Before His Death

Though the cause of death for the celebrity has yet to be determined, a picture of a man in crisis is beginning to emerge from the investigation. Prince’s representatives had reached out to a prominent California doctor who specializes in treating addiction, but the help came too late.

OxyContin’s Fundamental Flaw Offers New Insight Into Addiction

An investigation by the Los Angeles Times finds that the 12-hour-relief promise of OxyContin, one of the most abused pharmaceuticals in U.S. history, doesn’t hold true for some people. The problem, though, is that leads to withdrawal symptoms, and when the agony is relieved by the next dose, it creates a cycle of pain and euphoria that fosters addiction.

Sonoma West Medical Center Officials Say Hospital Is On Track, But Critics Claim It’s Financially Crippled

Dan Smith, chairman of the board of directors of the medical center, said the hospital’s “financial picture is improving” as revenue continues to grow and overnight hospital stays also increase, but others have cast doubt on the rosy projection.