Latest California Healthline Stories
Adolescent Girl Is LA County’s First Confirmed Zika Case
Health officials say the patient has since recovered. The World Health Organization is holding an emergency meeting to decide if the Zika virus requires a coordinated global response. Meanwhile, public officials warn that a vaccine is years away.
New Product Would Help Health Care Providers Locate Veins
The startup’s new technology could especially help with elderly patients whose veins are harder to find, the CEO says. Meanwhile, another partner asks Theranos to stop using its Palo Alto lab for its testing.
Brown Hits Roadblocks With Plan To Replace Managed Care Organization Tax
The framework for Gov. Jerry Brown’s complicated proposal has been generally backed by insurers, but details must be worked out to gain full support from businesses and Republican state lawmakers. In other news from the California Legislature, an artificial turf safety bill is rejected.
Covered California Extends Deadline Following A ‘Surge’ In Sign-Ups
The exchange says “tens of thousands” of consumers were signing up in the week before the enrollment deadline. The new one is Feb. 6.
New Guidelines For Physicians Take Aim At Antibiotic Resistance
A rise in doctors over-prescribing antibiotics has led to superbugs that cause up to 2 million infections a year.
President Barack Obama’s speech to congressional Democrats on Thursday touted the results of their accomplishments, including the 18 million people who gained health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. But the much-diminished audience showed the political cost Democrats have paid for their support of the president. In other national news, because of drug shortages, doctors have to make the decision about which patient gets the medication, and researchers capture a cell that would become cancer at its earliest state.
After Ebola Missteps, Politicians Walk Delicate Line On Zika Messaging
The White House and other political leaders need to strike a balance between preparedness and disproportionate reactions that go beyond public health recommendations. Meanwhile, new research calls into question the link between the virus and a rare birth defect, even as women worry about abortion and childlessness as a result of the crisis.
Charity Donates iPads To Kids Facing Life-Threatening Illnesses
In other local news, counties step up medical marijuana regulations, and a teen is injured after an electronic cigarette explodes in his mouth.
VA Wants To Turn Neglected LA Campus Into Thriving Community For Homeless Veterans
More than 1,200 supportive housing units for traumatized and disabled veterans, and more than 700 short-term units for homeless veterans would be set up through the plan.
Alzheimer’s Disease Caregivers Struggle Under Financial Strain
“You can be pretty financially robust and not have enough money to care for someone with this disease,” says Ruth Gay, the Alzheimer’s Association’s director of public policy and advocacy. In other news, a study reveals that few older adults talk about memory problems with their doctors, and higher-than-expected death rates among middle-age white men worry researchers.