Latest California Healthline Stories
Fresno County Warns Residents To Stay Indoors Amid Sharp Uptick in Respiratory, Cough ED Visits
On Friday, Fresno County health officials issued a health alert for residents to limit outdoor activities because of an increase in smoky air conditions and fine particle matter in the air from fires. Officials said that over a 72-hour period hospital emergency departments reported a 411% increase in visits for respiratory issues and a 90% increase in visits for coughs. KQED’s “State of Health.”
FDA Releases Finalized Rules for Food Safety
On Thursday, FDA announced it has finalized two new rules that aim to improve food safety in the U.S. Under the rules, food manufacturers will be required to implement written food safety plans that explain points in the manufacturing process that could pose contamination risks. Further, manufacturers must outline the actions they are taking to reduce such risks. HealthDay/U.S. News & World Report, New York Times.
VA Launches Online Portal To Consolidate More Than 1,000 Websites, Streamline Users’ Access
Last week, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it will launch an online portal consolidating its other veteran-related websites. During a speech to the industry and government group ACT-IAC, VA’s Chief Veterans Experience Officer Tom Allin said the new portal — called Vets.gov — will aim to incorporate VA’s more than 1,000 websites into a centralized hub to streamline users’ access to the department’s various services. FierceHealthIT, Federal News Radio.
Calif. Legislature Acts on Three Health Care Bills Ahead of Deadline
The California Legislature has sent two health care-related bills to Gov. Brown that would require multi-lingual prescription drug labels and limit deductibles for family health plans. A third measure designed to protect patients from surprise hospital bills heads to the Assembly for final approval. Kaiser Health News/KQED’s “State of Health” et al.
Health Care Experts, Lawmakers Spar Over Proposed Insurer Mergers
During a House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee hearing, lawmakers discussed the Affordable Care Act’s effect on mergers in the health insurance industry. Insurance industry representatives testified that the proposed mergers could cut costs by increasing competition, but experts said that insurers have no incentive to pass along those savings to consumers. Modern Healthcare et al.
Lawmakers Reach Agreement on Medical Marijuana Regulations
Yesterday, lawmakers reached a deal on a legislative package that would establish a statewide medical marijuana regulatory framework. The regulations are contained in three bills by Sen. Mike McGuire and Assembly members Jim Wood and Rob Bonta. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal,” Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Lawmakers Introduce Bill Targeting Prescription Drug Prices
Two lawmakers — Rep. Elijah Cummings and Sen. Bernie Sanders — have introduced legislation that aims to reduce prescription drug prices in the U.S. The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America opposes the bill, arguing that drugmakers and insurers already “aggressively negotiate prices” for prescription drugs and that the legislation could hinder innovation and medical advances. Wall Street Journal.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of September 11, 2015
Cedars-Sinai Health System has acquired Marina Del Rey Hospital, and all 660 hospital employees will remain in place. UCLA Health has notified more than 1,200 patients that an employee’s laptop containing medical records and other information was stolen earlier this summer.
VA Opens New Long-Term Care Facility in Long Beach for Veterans With Spinal Cord Injuries
Last week, the Department of Veterans Affairs Long Beach Healthcare System opened a new state-of-the-art long-term care facility for veterans with spinal cord injuries. The center, which currently houses 12 patients, is designed for veterans who have a spinal cord injury or disorder and who are not able to live alone or with family. Long Beach Press-Telegram.
UC-San Francisco Researchers Receive $13.2M Grant To Study Genetic Response to Statins
A team of researchers at UC-San Francisco has been awarded a five-year, $13.2 million federal grant to examine the genetics behind statin response. Recent studies have questioned the potential side effects of statins, which are a commonly prescribed class of drugs used to lower cholesterol. The study aligns with UCSF’s focus on precision medicine initiatives to study the genetics associated with disease diagnosis and drug response. MedCity News.