Morning Breakouts

Latest California Healthline Stories

GAO Tells Administration To Do More To Manage Health Law Sign-Ups, But Also Praises Some Of Its Efforts

The report from the Government Accountability Office will likely be used by Democrats in the upcoming midterms to support their message that the Trump administration is undermining the health law. But the GAO also credited the government’s efforts to reduce call center wait times and stabilize the ACA website.

Closure Of Tri-City Psych Ward Delayed A Month, But Pleas For Longer Extension Fail To Sway Board

“We’re already seeing an increase in the calls for mental health-related services and now we’re seeing a reduction in options as far as where to take people to get help in these emergencies,” said Sheriff’s Deputy Dave Schaller. “This is a ripple that will affect countywide.”

Health Advisers Include New Options For Life-Saving Cervical Cancer Screening

Because most cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says women ages 30-65 now have the choice to get an HPV test every five years, a Pap test every three years or a combination of both tests every five years. In other public health news: “food as medicine” and Herbalife lawsuits.

Hospital Closures May Accelerate With 8% At Risk, Leaving More Patients Farther From Care

Currently 30 hospitals a year are shutting down across the U.S., Bloomberg reports. That number could increase, according to a Morgan Stanley analysis, with facilities in rural areas particularly at risk. More hospital news comes out of San Jose and Ventura.

National Roundup: VA Didn’t Follow Proper Procedures By Denying Sexual Trauma Claims

A top Veterans Affairs official says the agency will review all the denied medical claims dating back to late 2016. In other news, the Trump administration is offering confusing messages about drug price middlemen, a look at a religious conservative and his ties to the administration, federal officials ask a court to order Anthem to testify in a billing practices investigation and the GAO is concerned about lax auditing of Medicaid managed care plans.

FDA Adds 4 Months To Expiration Date On EpiPens In Face Of Shortage

The Food and Drug Administration is working with Pfizer to extend the expiration date on certain lots of Mylan’s EpiPen 0.3 milligram injectors by an additional four months. The move is made because of an ongoing shortage of the lifesaving drug.