Latest California Healthline Stories
Ahead Of ‘March For Life,’ Disputes Call Attention To Racial Demographics Of Abortion
In a series of recent incidents, lawmakers in both the national and state legislatures are clashing with activists over race and abortion. Elsewhere, the Wisconsin Senate cuts Planned Parenthood funding, some abortion clinics in Florida say they would have to close under a bill moving through the legislature, and a new measure in the Iowa Senate aims to improve access to contraception.
Drug Makers Spotlight ‘Superbug’ Threat In Call For Government To Act
More than 80 companies will release a declaration at the World Economic Forum on Thursday calling for new economic models and help from countries’ governments to cut down on unnecessary use of and encourage the development of antibiotics.
Sanders’ Plan: Medicare On Steroids
The benefits included in Sen. Bernie Sanders’ health care plan are actually considerably more generous than what is offered through Medicare. Meanwhile, Bill Clinton is in New Hampshire calling the proposal a liberal fairy tale that would lead to “gridlock.”
Shkreli Subpoenaed For Congressional Price-Gouging Hearing
A House committee has called former Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO Martin Shkreli and Valeant’s interim CEO, Howard Schiller, to testify over sharp increases in drug costs at a hearing on Tuesday. Shkreli became notorious after his company Turing hiked the price of Daraprim, the only approved drug for a rare and sometimes deadly parasitic infection, by 5,000 percent.
CMS is trying to determine why Medicare beneficiaries are not taking greater advantage of an Affordable Care Act provision aiming to encourage increased use of preventive care. Caitlin Cross-Barnet, a social research scientist at CMS’ Innovation Center, said CMS will facilitate a series of focus groups to investigate the issue. The agency plans to compile its findings in a research paper. Modern Healthcare.
Covered California Reminding Consumers About Tax Penalties Ahead of Open Enrollment Deadline
Covered California is reminding consumers that they will face higher penalties next year if they fail to sign up for health insurance during the current open enrollment period, which ends Jan. 31. The average tax penalty for not having health coverage in 2016 will be $969 — a 47% increase from 2015. Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee said, “We want to make sure everyone understands the new connection between health care and taxes,” adding, “Consumers still have time to take action now, to avoid a significant penalty when they file their taxes next year and protect themselves if something goes wrong.” Sacramento Bee.
California lawmakers have rejected a bill that aimed to require cities and school districts to consider alternatives to artificial turf for sports fields. The bill’s author, state Sen. Jerry Hill, said the measure was introduced over concerns about chemicals in the turf that potentially could pose health risks for those using the fields. The measure was opposed by some union and industry groups. Meanwhile, a three-year state study of the health effects of artificial turf is underway. Los Angeles Times‘ “Essential Politics.”
GAO Report Uncovers Drug Safety Issues at FDA
A new Government Accountability Office report finds that FDA has failed to address multiple gaps in its process for monitoring drug safety issues. According to the report, FDA data on medication safety “were found to be incomplete, outdated, to contain inaccuracies, and to be stored in a manner that made routine, systematic analysis difficult.” AP/Modern Healthcare, New York Times.
ACA Improved Access to Coverage, Reduced Uncompensated Care
A new research letter discusses a study that found states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act saw greater reductions in rates of uncompensated care than those that did not expand their programs. Meanwhile, a separate research letter details a study that found the ACA increased access to coverage for young adults. HealthDay/U.S. News & World Report, New England Journal of Medicine.
Levels of Cancer-Causing Chemical in L.A. Gas Leak Underreported
Yesterday, the utility company in charge of a well that has been leaking natural gas since October 2015 said that it has found higher-than-normal levels of a cancer-causing chemical more times than previously reported. While some residents have reported health issues, officials say long-term health risks are unlikely. Washington Post‘s “Morning Mix” et al.