Latest California Healthline Stories
Report Highlights Health Metrics in Santa Cruz County
A new Santa Cruz County report found that just 10% of adult residents in 2012 smoked — less than the statewide rate of 13% — and just 11.4% did not engage in physical activity during their leisure time. However, the report also found that the county had a suicide rate of 13.7 per 100,000 persons and that 7.5% of teenagers in the county were obese. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
California Appeals Court Rejects Physician-Assisted Death Lawsuit
A lawsuit that aimed to allow doctors to prescribe fatal doses of medication to patients with terminal illnesses has been dismissed by a California appeals court. The suit was filed months before the state approved a new law legalizing physician-assisted death in the state. The law is not expected to go into effect until 2016. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Study: Some Federal Exchange Plans Lack Access to Specialty Care
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds about 15% of silver-level health plans sold through the Affordable Care Act’s federal exchange in 2015 lacked an in-network physician in at least one specialty. Of those health plans, the study finds five did not cover any of patients’ costs for out-of-network physicians. Los Angeles Times et al.
Senate Sends Budget Deal With ACA, Medicare Changes to Obama
The Senate has voted to pass a House-approved two-year budget deal that would raise the country’s spending limits and make changes to several health care programs, including the Affordable Care Act and Medicare. President Obama has until Nov. 3 to sign the legislation to avoid the first-ever debt default. New York Times et al.
UC-San Francisco Study Highlights Harmful Effects of Sugar
Consuming fewer sugary calories can lead to improvements in children’s health, according to a study by researchers at Vallejo’s Touro University California and UC-San Francisco. For the study, researchers put a group of obese children with at least one metabolic disorder on a sugar-restricted diet and found the kids became full sooner and within 10 days saw improvements in blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and liver functions. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News,” Contra Costa Times.
San Francisco To Spend Another $1.2M To Combat HIV
San Francisco plans to spend an additional $1.2 million to help combat the spread of HIV. The city is using the funding to help support an initiative aimed at getting individuals with HIV into antiretroviral treatment sooner and a program that seeks expand the use of Truvada, an HIV prevention pill. KQED’s “State of Health.”
12 Calif. Hospitals Among Becker’s List of Best Heart Care Facilities
Twelve California hospitals were included in Becker’s Hospital Review‘s list of 100 facilities with “great heart programs.” The list includes hospitals and health systems that have been recognized by several ranking and award agencies for their cardiovascular care. Becker’s Hospital Review.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of October 30, 2015
UC-San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital has broken ground on a new $50 million medical center. The National Labor Relation Board’s Office of General Counsel has issued a consolidated complaint against the parent company of three California hospitals, alleging unfair labor practices.
Poll: Most U.S. Residents Worry About Rx Drug Costs, Ads
A majority of U.S. residents say they are concerned about prescription drug prices and think drug advertisements should be subject to government review, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll released Wednesday. According to the poll, most respondents said they support federal action to rein in prescription drug costs and ensure access. Meanwhile, 80% of respondents said they had seen advertisements for prescription drugs. Of those, 28% discussed a drug for which they had seen an advertisement with a physician. Kaiser Health News.
Walgreens Boots Alliance To Acquire Rite Aid for $9.4B
On Tuesday, Walgreens Boots Alliance said it has agreed to purchase Rite Aid for roughly $9.4 billion. Under the agreement, Walgreens would pay $9 in cash per share of Rite Aid. The price is 48% higher than Rite Aid’s closing share price on Monday. Reuters, Wall Street Journal.