Latest California Healthline Stories
Sutter Health Reports Its Income Plunged 80 Percent Last Year
The company’s CEO did not address the reasons for the drop but said the system invested $898 million last year in new buildings and technology.
A Wall Street Journal reporter talks to CBS about how the once promising startup is now struggling.
Growth Of High-Deductible Plans Creates New Set Of Affordability Problems
Policy experts warn that workers will avoid medical care and struggle to pay the bills as more employer-provided health plans require a deductible of at least $2,000.
California Report Cards Add Health Pricing Information
The state is working to reveal some of the biggest secrets of health care by publishing price information to help consumers comparison shop for doctors, dentists and prescription drugs.
Santa Monica Lawmaker Introduces Soda Tax Bill
The two-cents-an-ounce “health impact fee” would raise an estimated $2 billion a year.
State Senate Set To Vote On Bill Raising Smoking Age To 21
The legislation is part of a six-bill package that will go to Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk if the lawmakers approve it. Meanwhile, CVS is launching a $50 million anti-smoking initiative designed to contribute to a 3 percent decline in the national youth smoking rate and a 10 percent decline in the number of new youth smokers.
Expensive Specialty Drugs Help Drive Up U.S. Drug Spending
After years of slower growth, drug spending rose a “remarkable” 12.6 percent in 2014, according to a new federal report.
U.S. To Test The Waters With Medicare Drug Reimbursement Proposal
The proposal affects drugs administered in doctors offices or outpatient clinics. It is aimed at current reimbursement incentives that may encourage doctors to select higher-priced medications but not add benefits for patients.
LA County To Investigate Spike In Mental Competency Cases
The Los Angeles mental health court saw a threefold increase from 2010-2015, and supervisors Hilda Solis and Sheila Kuehl are calling for a “root cause” analysis by county staff to identify the reasons behind it.
Drops In Patient Volume Put Dent In Verity Health System’s Revenue
Verity reported an operating loss of $70.7 million on $662.2 million in total revenue for the six-month period ended Dec. 31, compared with an operating loss of $35.2 million on $749.9 million in revenue during fiscal 2015.