Morning Breakouts

Latest California Healthline Stories

In November, California Voters Will Get Chance To Weigh In On Prescription Drug Prices

In related news, the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Merck’s new hepatitis C drug may lead to lower medication costs for consumers. Also, Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton takes on Valeant Pharmaceuticals’ price hikes during a campaign appearance.

In Latest Blow To Theranos, Walgreens Halts Use Of California Lab

Walgreens said the blood testing startup “must immediately cease sending any clinical laboratory tests” to Theranos’ Palo Alto lab, which is facing federal scrutiny for deficient practices that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services say pose immediate jeopardy to patient health and safety.

13 Indictments Announced In Workers’ Comp Insurance Fraud Scheme

The federal-state investigation uncovered nearly a half-million dollars in kickback payments in Southern California and implicated doctors, chiropractors and medical supply providers, authorities said. The bribes were usually $50 to $100 per patient.

National Roundup: Scientists’ Breakthrough On Schizophrenia; Anthem Blames Health Law For Poor Profit Showing

Hailed as a landmark piece of work, the new study identifies a set of gene variants that increases the risk of schizophrenia. In other national news, the second-largest U.S. insurer says it had about 800,000 enrollees under the Affordable Care Act, which was 30 percent less than projected, and Obama wants to launch a $12 billion child nutrition plan to help feel low-income students over summer break.

Ted Cruz Attacks Donald Trump’s Positions On Health Care And Abortion

Meanwhile in New Hampshire, a conservative group tries to label Republican candidate John Kasich as an “Obama Republican” due to his Medicaid actions as Ohio governor. And on the Democratic side of the race, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi says that Sen. Bernie Sanders’ universal health care plan is unrealistic.

Doctors And The Malpractice Lawsuit Cycle

A study of 15 years of malpractice cases that resulted in payments to patients found that one percent of physicians accounts for 32 percent of all paid claims and if a doctor pays out once, the chances are good he or she will pay again.