Latest California Healthline Stories
Janis Sherwood’s efforts have led Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell to notify a government panel that adrenoleukodystrophy, or ALD, will be added to the nation’s list of recommended routine screenings for newborns. In other local news, an East Contra Costa County school adopts standing desks and a nursing school at UC Davis has begun a nurse-practitioner partnership with Sacramento.
Hospital Workers To Air Wage, Benefits Demands At Public Forum in Santa Rosa
Labor negotiations are ongoing for personnel of Santa Rosa Memorial and Petaluma Valley hospitals with hospital operator St. Joseph Health. In other regional hospital news, Tehachapi voters will get a say on hospital management and a Newport Beach hospital uses virtual reality in surgery.
‘Ransomware’ Hack On Hospital Raises Red Flags For Cybersecurity Specialists
As Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center goes public with the news that it paid out $17,000 to recover its locked electronic records, industry experts warn that such cyberattacks could escalate.
Zenefits’ ‘New’ Executive Team’s Roster Filled With Its Current Executives
All but one are current leaders at the troubled startup.
Pope Condones Contraception To Avoid Zika Complications, Maintains Abortion Is ‘Absolute Evil’
The pontiff cited a decision by one of his predecessors, Pope Paul VI, to allow nuns in the Belgian Congo in 1960s to use contraception because they were in danger of pregnancy from rape. However, under no circumstances, Francis said, should abortion be considered a “lesser evil,” and he said the procedure should be avoided at all cost. “It is a crime, [killing] one person to save another,” he said. “That is something that the Mafia does … an absolute evil.” It is unclear what affect his statements will have on the heavily Catholic countries hit hardest by the outbreak.
Panel: Linking Mental Illness, Violence Only Increases Stigma
A Coachella Valley high school organized a panel of local and federal law enforcement and mental health workers to talk about mass shootings and their link to mental health. In other public health news, women in LA County jail will now be able to provide their breast milk to be picked up for their children under a new program, a study looks at demographics’ role in dementia and a Silicon Valley woman shares how addiction affected her family.
Pesticide Mixes Likely Increase Health Risks To Farm Workers, Students: UCLA Study
The report says the California Department of Pesticide Regulation should better regulate pesticide mixtures and place buffer zones around schools.
Health Safety Board Votes Down Regulations On Porn Performers
Many in the industry turned out to ask the Division of Occupational Safety and Health’s Standard Board to reject the safety measure that could require the actors to wear condoms, goggles, face shields and gloves.
Covered California Selects VSP As Vision Care Provider
Vision insurance is not eligible for subsidies under the health law, but consumers will be provided a link to VSP Vision Care through the exchange. Meanwhile, auditors issue a report about the financial solvency of Covered California. And in other Affordable Care Act news, small businesses surveyed say the law has hurt them.
GOP Lawmakers Sketch Out Wish List For Funds Generated From Health Plan Tax
The Republicans want to direct the spending toward services for the developmentally disabled, reimbursements for certain skilled nursing facilities and paying off state debts. In other news, California voters will decide on legalizing marijuana in November, but the next president could shut it down.