Morning Breakouts

Latest California Healthline Stories

Small-Business Exchange Premiums To Climb Slightly, But Less Than Previous Years

Only a small number of businesses buy health insurance off this exchange, which was created by the Affordable Care Act as a marketplace for companies with 100 or fewer workers. Many companies buy directly from insurers.

Spending Package Including Money For Veterans’ Programs Passed By Senate As Lawmakers Try To Avoid Shutdown

The package includes a $5.1 billion increase for the Department of Veterans Affairs, including $1.1 billion to pay for a law President Donald Trump signed in June to give veterans more freedom to see doctors outside the troubled VA system.

Leana Wen, Baltimore’s Health Commissioner And Emergency Room Doctor, Tapped To Lead Planned Parenthood

Dr. Leana Wen, who personally relied on Planned Parenthood as a child of a low-income family, has repeatedly challenged the Trump administration’s women’s health policies in court. “I see how the single, biggest health catastrophe of our times is the threat to women’s health,” Wen said. “I am deeply troubled by how women’s health issues are singled out, stigmatized and attacked.”

Doctors Push Back Against Initiative Aimed At Identifying Providers Who Are Overprescribing Opioids

The Medical Board of California has been using death certificates in fatal overdose cases as a starting point to find clinicians who may be guilty of overprescribing, but providers say the scare tactic will only discourage quality patient care.