Latest California Healthline Stories
Viewpoints: Insurers’ Denials Are Getting Inconsiderate To The Point Of Cruelty
A selection of opinions on health care developments from around the state.
Accountable care organizations were set up under the Affordable Care Act with the intention of improving quality and efficiency. But government data shows that they’ve fallen short of the savings that were projected. “After six years of experience, the time has come to put real ‘accountability’ in Accountable Care Organizations,” CMS Administrator Seema Verma said in a statement. “Medicare cannot afford to support programs with weak incentives that do not deliver value.”
Doctors Fret About Wildfires’ Effects On Residents’ Health
Experts say to stay inside when you can, keep windows and doors closed, and if you have to go outside, consider a mask. Also, watch out for symptoms like stinging eyes, scratchy throat, or chest pain.
California’s Emergency Department Visits Rose More Than 40 Percent In 10-Year Span
An increasingly aging population and a lack of hospital beds are contributing to the rise in numbers, said Renee Hsia, the author of the report. On top of that, emergency rooms are holding high numbers of mentally ill patients and people abusing drugs and alcohol, she said
The letters were sent to doctors of patients who came through the San Diego County medical examiner’s office because of a fatal overdose. Though the effects were modest, researchers say it does show that small steps can make a difference in the battle against opioids.
Will Ballot Initiative Limit Dialysis Clinics’ Profits, Help Patients Or Lead To Facility Closures?
The ballot initiative would require dialysis clinics to issue refunds to patients or insurance companies if they have revenue above 115 percent of the costs of “direct patient care.” But some worry that the measure could lead to clinics cutting back or even closing, which would ultimately hurt patients.
The Associated Press fact checks Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) spin on the report that analyzed the cost of the senator’s “Medicare For All” plan, which is gaining steam in the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.
Medicare’s Power To Negotiate Drug Prices Will Harm Patients With Chronic Illnesses, Advocates Warn
Medicare Advantage’s negotiating tool — requiring patients to try lower-cost treatments before the more expensive ones — is derided as a “fail first” process to those who oppose the strategy. “Consumers may have to go through one or more drugs before they can get a particular treatment they really need,” said Ellen Albritton, a senior policy analyst at Families USA. Meanwhile, there are already signals that implementing the new rules is going to be complicated.
Rep. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) is alleged to have passed inside information on the failure of an Innate Immunotherapeutics’ drug trial to his son, who then passed it to another alleged conspirator. Collins describes the charges as “merit-less” and says he will stay in office and run for reelection. Meanwhile, House Speaker Paul Ryan says that Collins would not serve on the House Energy and Commerce Committee “until this matter is settled.”
Sacramento Struggles To Find Location For Tent To Serve As Permanent Shelter For Homeless
The giant tents have been credited with reducing homelessness in San Diego, but, though Sacramento has the funding, it has yet to figure out a good place to put them.