Morning Breakouts

Latest California Healthline Stories

Court Ruling In California’s Case Against UnitedHealth Could Pave The Way To $91M Fine

“UnitedHealthcare purchased PacifiCare and imposed cost-cutting measures that destroyed PacifiCare’s claims-handling processes,” said Dave Jones, the insurance commissioner in California. He added: “By any measure, 908,000 violations reflect a general business practice of violating consumer protection laws.”

Alex Azar Came To HHS Ready To Execute A Four-Point Health Plan. Then The Zero-Tolerance Crisis Happened.

HHS Secretary Alex Azar became the public face of the crisis because his agency is responsible for housing the migrant children that were separated from their parents. The Washington Post looks at how he handled the pressure. Meanwhile, Azar plans to shift millions from public health programs to help pay to house detained migrant children.

If Congress Can Assure Her Safety, Kavanaugh Accuser Says She’s Open To Testifying

Christine Blasey Ford originally said she wouldn’t testify about her allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh without an FBI investigation. While that’s still her preference, she said that she’s willing to come in next week “on terms that are fair.” Meanwhile, psychological experts dig into the complexities of memory.

America’s Drug Death Trends Are More Complex Than The Current Narrative About Opioid Overdoses

Overdose deaths are on a sharp upward trajectory, but the roles different drugs play in that overarching epidemic has been simplified to focus on opioids. A new study reveals the depth of the crisis in America over the past four decades, and offers a grim picture of the country’s future.

If State’s High Court Weighs In On Self-Pay Patient Case, Ripples Could Be Felt Throughout Hospital Industry

A key issue involves an unpublished appellate court opinion about whether self-pay patients who were treated at two Fresno-area hospitals are allowed to challenge their bills as part of a class action. One of the patients is asking the Supreme Court to get the opinion published which would make it citable in other California cases.

Brown Signs Bill Curbing Kids’ Soda Consumption At Restaurants, Saying State Is In ‘Public Health Crisis’

Restaurants will have to offer water or milk as the default drink for children unless requested otherwise. Meanwhile, Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a statewide change to school start times, preferring to grant that authority to local communities.