Latest California Healthline Stories
Slow State Response Bedeviling $6.8 Billion Deal Between Centene, Health Net
The insurer is pressing for a March 1 close, but consumer advocates worry the consolidation would be “worrisome” for marketplace stability and pricing for customers.
More Bad News For Zenefits: Biggest Client Jet.com Left Just Before CEO Resigned
Jet dropped the human resource company to look for better solutions for its rapidly growing company. In other marketplace news, FitBit sees a boost on news that Salesforce CEO Mark Benioff bought a stake in the company.
Walgreens Warns Theranos It Will Dissolve Partnership If Problems Aren’t Resolved
The blood testing startup is also under pressure to submit a plan to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services about the steps it is taking to address the issues that came to light after a federal inspection. The deadline is Friday.
Lawmaker Wants 15 Percent Sales Tax On Medical Marijuana
State Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg, says his bill would generate $100 million a year to help cover the costs of regulating the cannabis industry.
Insurers Offer Support For Brown’s Health Plan Tax Proposal
To net the backing from the industry, Gov. Jerry Brown agreed to eliminate other taxes that insurance companies pay.
FDA Panel Recommendation On Arthritis Drug Knockoff Could Clear Way For More Biosimilars
The non-binding approval of the lower-cost version of Johnson & Johnson’s drug Remicade could signal the FDA will use looser criteria for marketing approval than some people expected, analysts say. In other national news, The Wall Street Journal looks at how Sanofi’s inhalable insulin missed the mark, Centene posts profits helped by its Medicaid business, the U.S. considers Medicare payment changes and the opioid crisis makes pharmacists play drug cop.
Trump, Sanders Win New Hampshire
With the results, voters sent a clear anti-establishment message Tuesday night.
Sonoma Board Greenlights Food Safety Program
“The purpose of this is to reduce the risk of food-borne illness,” Department of Health Services Director Stephan Betz told supervisors before they voted 5-0 in favor of the rating system. In other local news, Grossmont health district is offering scholarships for nursing students and those who want to pursue medical health technician careers.
Obstetricians Working At Catholic Hospitals Face Additional Set Of Religious Rules
Doctors must follow the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, which prohibit birth control, abortion and, in most cases, sterilization. In other hospital news, Palomar Health closes its standby ER in downtown Escondido and Ventura County Medical Center nurses are offered an 11-percent wage increase.
LA Approves Sweeping Proposal To Combat Homelessness Crisis
The initiative would direct funds toward providing housing for those leaving the hospital system, jail or foster care.