Latest California Healthline Stories
Prescribing ‘Crazy, Outrageous Amounts’ Of Painkillers Could Land Doctor In Jail For Life
In a rare case for a physician, Dr. Hsiu-Ying “Lisa” Tseng was convicted of second-degree murder in October after three of her patients died. In other hospital personnel news, the nurses union at Ventura County Medical Center says that noncompetitive wages are leading to patient safety issues.
CDC’s Recommendation That Women Drink Only If On Birth Control Sparks Outrage
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued the advice to help combat fetal alcohol syndrome.
‘Street Medicine Team’ Of Doctors Work To Improve Homeless Health Care
A nonprofit clinic is ramping up efforts to offer services to homeless people as Sacramento’s anti-camping battle rages on. In other public health news, the Porter Ranch gas leak may be capped by next week, and a UCLA study finds problems with BMI designations.
Study: Whooping Cough Vaccine Protection Wanes Quickly
Researchers wanted to know why California was hit with outbreaks even though children were being vaccinated. They say it might be time to think about changing the way the vaccine is administered.
Cesca Therapeutics Gets $15M Cash Infusion From Chinese Research Firm
In other marketplace news, Tobira Therapeutics targets treatments for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
‘Specialty Tier’ Drug Costs Hit California’s Retirement Agency Hard
The state public pension system says that specialty drugs made up less than 1 percent of all prescriptions for its members but 30 percent of the total drugs costs in 2014. In other pharmaceutical news, the Children’s Oncology Group proposes a way to deal with drug shortages.
California Nominates Its First Medical Marijuana Czar
Gov. Jerry Brown selects Lori Ajax to serve as the inaugural chief of the Bureau of Medical Marijuana Regulation. She must be approved by the Legislature.
Officials Announce Health Plan Sign-Ups Outpace Goals And Include 4M New Customers
The Department of Health and Human Services says 12.7 million people signed up for a policy through the health law’s marketplaces during the regular enrollment season.
With 425,000 Newly Insured, Covered California Hits Enrollment Goals
A total of 1.57 million signed up for insurance through the exchange during the third open enrollment cycle. About 37 percent of new enrollees are young adults aged 18-34, up from 34 percent from last year.
“We can’t promise that we can repeal Obamacare when a guy with the last name Obama is president,” the speaker said. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama will propose changes to the unpopular “Cadillac tax” on high-cost health insurance plans, and the health care law will make tax season more complicated for small businesses.