Latest California Healthline Stories
Walgreen To Pay $500K To Settle California Lawsuit Over Pharmacists’ Consulting Practices
On Wednesday, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley announced Walgreen has agreed to a $500,000 settlement over allegations that its pharmacists failed to fully comply with the California State Board of Pharmacy’s consultation rules. Under the rule, pharmacists are required to have personal consultations with consumers who receive new prescriptions or new dosages of existing prescriptions. Bay City News/KQED’s “State of Health.”
Alaska Lawmakers Vote To Sue Governor Over State’s Medicaid Expansion Under the ACA
A panel of Alaska lawmakers on Tuesday approved plans to sue Gov. Bill Walker over his decision to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Walker last month announced he will use his executive power to expand Medicaid, after several attempts to expand the program through the state Legislature failed. A panel of 11 members of the state House and Senate voted 10-1 to spend $450,000 on the suit. Alaska Dispatch News, Juneau Empire.
San Bernardino County Public Health Officials Report First West Nile Death of 2015
On Monday, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health officials confirmed the county’s first West Nile virus-related death this year. The patient was older than 60 and was one of five cases of West Nile virus reported in the county so far this year. KTLA, AP/Sacramento Bee.
E-Cigarettes Could Serve as Gateway to Traditional Tobacco Products
A new study conducted by University of Southern California researchers finds that high school students who use electronic cigarettes are about twice as likely to begin smoking cigarettes. The study comes as lawmakers during a special session reintroduced legislation targeting e-cigarettes. Modern Healthcare et al.
Amgen To Pay $71M To Settle Improper Rx Marketing Allegations
Amgen has reached a $71 million settlement with 48 states and Washington, D.C., resolving some of the issues brought up in a 2012 lawsuit filed by the federal government over the marketing of its Aranesp and Enbrel drugs. Amgen did not admit to any wrongdoing in the settlement. Wall Street Journal et al.
Brown Admin Slams Right-To-Die Discussion in Special Session
Gov. Brown’s administration is criticizing a move by lawmakers to use the special legislative session on health care financing to consider legalizing physician-assisted death. Lawmakers say they will continue to push for a right-to-die bill despite Brown’s concerns. AP/New York Times et al.
Calif. Department of Human Resources Launches Benefits Calculator
The California Department of Human Resources has launched an online calculator to help state employees compare their out-of-pocket costs for health, dental and vision insurance. The tool allows for side-by-side comparisons of two plans, but it does not calculate benefits for non-state government workers or retirees. Sacramento Bee’s “The State Worker,” DHR release.
Survey: Diabetes, Obesity Rates on the Rise Among California Adults
New data from the California Health Interview Survey show that while more California adults have health insurance, the rate of obesity increased from 19% in 2001 to 27% in 2014. The data also show that the rate of diabetes among California adults increased from 6.6% in 2003 to 9% in 2014. Sacramento Bee, UCLA Center for Health Policy Research release.
On Monday, WISE & Healthy Aging President and CEO Grace Cheng Braun announced the not-for-profit has received a two-year, $20,000 mental health grant from Kaiser Foundation Hospitals. The funding will help support innovative mental health services for at-risk homeless seniors on the Los Angeles Westside. Santa Monica Daily Press.
On Tuesday, California public health officials said they are investigating a potential second case of plague contracted by a tourist visiting California from Georgia during a recent trip to Yosemite National Park. The announcement comes less than two weeks after officials reported that a child who camped in the park had been diagnosed with the disease. KPCC’s “KPCC News,” NBC Bay Area.