Latest California Healthline Stories
Kaiser Recruits Thousands in Calif. for Autism Project
Kaiser Permanente is recruiting up to 5,000 children and young adults with autism and their parents to participate in a new project to investigate the environmental and hereditary factors that might contribute to the disorder. Participants will submit blood or saliva samples to a “biobank,” which researchers will use in conjunction with health records in an effort to determine the causes of autism, the best treatment options and potential prevention strategies. KQED’s “State of Health.”
Senate Unveils Updated Budget Reconciliation Bill To Dismantle ACA
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has released a budget reconciliation bill that would eliminate the Affordable Care Act’s subsidies to help consumers buy coverage through the exchanges and phase out the law’s Medicaid expansion over two years, in addition to repealing other major ACA provisions included in the House-approved version. Politico et al.
CalPERS Has Paid Private-Equity Firms $3.4B Since 1990
CalPERS has paid $3.4 billion to private-equity firms and earned $24.2 billion in net profit from the sector since 1990. While some experts question whether the returns are worth the risk, CalPERS’ announcement could help increase transparency among private-equity firms. New York Times/San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times.
‘Right-To-Die’ Law Highlights Need for Palliative Care in California
Some palliative care doctors say that California’s new law legalizing physician-assisted death highlights the need to bolster awareness about the services they provide. For example, some providers say patients forgo end-of-life talks in the absence of palliative care programs. Kaiser Health News.
Cigna Settles Six Class-Action Lawsuits Over Merger With Anthem
Cigna has agreed to settle six class-action lawsuits filed by some of the health insurer’s shareholders over its proposed merger with Anthem “to avoid the costs, risks and uncertainties inherent in litigation.” Shareholders from both insurers will vote Thursday on whether to approve the proposed merger. Modern Healthcare.
Los Angeles County Supervisors Raise Objections to Losing $11M To Fund New Emergency System
Last week, five Los Angeles County supervisors sent a letter to the city’s mayor and council president raising concerns about the loss of $11 million in federal grant funding for a project to create a multi-jurisdictional radio system for emergency responders. In the letter, the supervisors accuse the city officials of shifting the funding to another local communications project that could jeopardize the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System’s creation. Los Angeles Times.
UC-San Francisco To Lead ‘Dream Team’ of HIV Researchers in $20M Effort To Eradicate AIDS
On Monday, UC-San Francisco announced that it has received a five-year $20 million grant from the Foundation for AIDS Research to find ways to eradicate the AIDS virus by 2020. For the project, UC-San Francisco researchers will work with a “dream team” of scientists at the Blood Systems Research Institute, the Gladstone Institute for Virology and Immunology and other academic partners with expertise in the field. San Francisco Business Times.
Five Charged in $580M Southern Calif. Hospital Kickback Scheme
Federal authorities have charged five people in an alleged kickback scheme involving $580 million in improper claims by Pacific Hospital of Long Beach and Tri-City Regional Medical Center. Prosecutors say two of the people charged already have pleaded guilty, while three others have agreed to do so. AP/KQED’s “The California Report” et al.
Adelanto Legalizes Cultivation of Medical Marijuana
The Adelanto City Council has approved an ordinance legalizing the cultivation of medical marijuana in the area. The measure will take effect in 30 days, but proprietors can submit applications as early as next week, according to officials. Barstow Desert Dispatch.
Moody’s Report: Cyberattacks Could Hurt Health Care Organizations’ Credit Ratings
Health care institutions could experience drops in their credit ratings as a result of a steep increase in cyberattacks, according to a new report from Moody’s Investors Service. Moody’s noted that while cyberattacks do not drive credit ratings, they are viewed as event risks, in that “timing and consequences of a successful attack are uncertain.” Modern Healthcare, Healthcare IT News.