Latest California Healthline Stories
Federal Judge Largely Upholds Berkeley’s New Mobile Phone Health Warning Ordinance
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen upheld most of a new Berkeley ordinance requiring cellphone retailers to warn customers about the health risks of keeping cellphones too close to their bodies. In the ruling, Chen said the ordinance largely complies with federal law and rejected the wireless industry’s request for a preliminary injunction against the ordinance. However, he said the city must remove language that says the potential health risks are greater for children before it can take effect. San Francisco Chronicle, AP/ABC News.
Federal Officials Release Final Health IT Strategic Plan
On Monday, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT released the final Federal Health IT Strategic Plan for 2015 to 2020, which focuses on patient-centered data and care rather than implementing IT systems. Among other things, the plan aims to leverage various health information-generating sources, including self-generated information from individuals’ mobile devices and non-clinical information collected by communities. Modern Healthcare, Health Data Management.
Drug Company Rescinds 5,000% Price Increase for Decades-Old Drug
Turing Pharmaceuticals rescinded a more than 5,000% increase in the price of a decades-old drug after outrage over the price hike caused a drop in biotechnology stocks as investors became concerned about potential government action. The 62-year-old drug — Daraprim — is used to treat malaria and is the standard of care for treating toxoplasmosis, a life-threatening parasitic infection. Turing Pharmaceuticals acquired the drug last month and increased its price by more than 5000%, from $13.50 per tablet to $750 per tablet. Experts expressed worry that the change represented an alarming industry trend in which drug companies purchase older medications and increase their prices. New York Times, USA Today.
One in Six School Districts Has Dropped Medi-Cal Referral Program
A recent state audit finds that the California Department of Health Care Services has failed to adequately oversee and manage a program that reimburses school districts for some of the cost of referring students to the state’s Medicaid program. Nearly one in six school districts has dropped out of the program, the audit finds. EdSource, California State Auditor report.
DOJ Appeals Ruling Allowing House GOP To Continue ACA Lawsuit
The Department of Justice has appealed a recent U.S. District Court decision that allows the House to continue a lawsuit challenging the administration’s power to make changes to the Affordable Care Act. DOJ calls the decision “a momentous step” that “would invite litigation over numerous other disputes between the political branches.” Roll Call.
CMS Says 2016 Average MA Premiums To Drop by 31 Cents
CMS says the average monthly Medicare Advantage premiums likely will fall by about 31 cents, from $32.91 this year to $32.60 next year. CMS also notes that the majority of MA beneficiaries will not see any premium increases next year, which observers say could prompt more beneficiaries to enroll in the plans. Modern Healthcare et al.
Suit Aims To Limit Calif. AG’s Power Over Not-for-Profit Hospital Sales
A lawsuit filed by Prime Healthcare Services seeks to restrict California Attorney General Kamala Harris’ ability to place conditions on the sale of not-for-profit hospitals. The suit comes after Prime withdrew its offer to buy six safety-net hospitals when Harris imposed a series of conditions on the deal. Modern Healthcare et al.
Proposal Calls for Tax Increases To Fund Health Care, Education
Yesterday, a group led by the California Hospital Association and Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West proposed a ballot initiative to expand and make permanent the state’s income tax increases. The funding would be used to help fund education and health care programs. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” AP/Sacramento Bee.
UC-Davis Study Finds Link Between Low Vitamin D, Increased Dementia Risk
A UC-Davis study published in JAMA Neurology finds that low vitamin D levels among seniors could increase risk of dementia. The study, which examined 400 seniors over five years, found cognitive brain function and memory loss among seniors with insufficient vitamin D levels deteriorated more than two times as fast as those with normal vitamin D levels. Sacramento Bee.
Sutter Health OK’d To Offer HMO in Bay Area
On Monday, Sutter Health announced that it has received regulatory approval to offer its new not-for-profit HMO plan — Sutter Health Plus — in Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Francisco and San Mateo counties. The expansion brings Sutter Health Plus’ total network to 25 hospitals and campuses and nearly 5,600 physicians in 14 counties. Sacramento Business Journal, San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk.”