- California Healthline Original Stories 2
- As Treatable As Diabetes? Lawmakers Push New Ways To Stem Opioid Addiction
- The High Cost Of Hope: When The Parallel Interests Of Pharma And Families Collide
- Elections 1
- Ballot Initiative To Limit Patient Costs Won't Be Effective And Will Drive Doctors Out Of Area, Opponents Say
- Public Health and Education 1
- 'Food Is Medicine' Concept Flourishes As States Seek Innovative Solutions Toward Lowering Health Costs
Latest From California Healthline:
California Healthline Original Stories
As Treatable As Diabetes? Lawmakers Push New Ways To Stem Opioid Addiction
California lawmakers approved 14 measures to address the opioid crisis, including one that requires health plans to cover medication-based treatments for opioid addiction without requiring pre-authorization. Gov. Jerry Brown has until the end of September to approve or reject the proposals. (Pauline Bartolone, )
The High Cost Of Hope: When The Parallel Interests Of Pharma And Families Collide
Desperate for help in finding a lifesaving drug for a fatal genetic disease, families banded together to fund early research and then worked with drug companies on clinical trials and marketing. Yet, this small patient advocacy group is stunned by pharma’s pricing. (Emily Kopp and Jay Hancock, )
More News From Across The State
The measure, sponsored by Services Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, would limit the amount hospitals can charge patients to no more than 15 percent above the actual cost of providing care. "Who wins under this initiative?” said C. Duane Dauner, director for the No on Measure F Coalition. “The answer is nobody.”
The Mercury News:
Patient Cost Initiative Won’t Lower Hospital Bills, Opponents Say
A group fighting an initiative to restrict patient costs in Palo Alto claims that the measure would not lower hospital bills, but force the city to increase taxes or reduce services and even spur healthcare providers to relocate elsewhere. C. Duane Dauner, director for the No on Measure F Coalition which is backed by local hospitals, said the initiative would not reduce costs to patients with private insurance or force insurers to issue rebates to patients who are charged too much for their care. The real reason the union is pushing the initiative is to boost membership, he said, adding that it will actually lead to hospital layoffs. (Kelly, 9/7)
San Diego Hospital Joins Nationwide Consortium Created To Lower Drug Costs
Fed up with shortages and high costs, a group of health organizations decided to launch its own company to manufacture its own drugs.
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
San Diego's West Health Helps Found Ambitious Not-For-Profit Drug Manufacturing Company
San Diego’s Gary and Mary West Foundation is one of three philanthropic organizations supporting Civica Rx, a new not-for-profit pharmaceutical company designed to radically disrupt the nation’s generic drug market. The consortium of health systems and foundations behind the new venture will announce the new company Thursday with the short-term goal of producing 14 different medications commonly used in hospitals starting in 2019. (Sisson, 9/6)
The California Legislature last year became the first in the nation to fund a large-scale pilot project to test food is medicine. The three-year, $6 million project launched in April will serve about a thousand patients with congestive heart failure in seven counties.
Stateline:
Take Two Carrots And Call Me In The Morning
Half a century after Americans began fighting hunger with monthly food stamps, the nation’s physicians and policymakers are focusing more than ever on what’s on each person’s plate. In the 21st century, food is seen as medicine — and a tool to cut health care costs. The “food is medicine” concept is simple: If chronically ill people eat a nutritious diet, they’ll need fewer medications, emergency room visits and hospital readmissions. (Mercer, 9/7)
Disney Fighting Thousands In State Fines Over Legionnaires' Outbreak
The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration says the resort "did not follow the manufacturer’s cooling tower start-up maintenance and water treatment procedure to control outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease." Two employees were hospitalized as a result of the outbreak, which is why the agency is involved.
Los Angeles Times:
State Says Disney Failed To Properly Clean Cooling Towers Linked To Legionnaires' Outbreak; Disney Disputes Claims
In what became one of the nation’s biggest Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks, 22 people fell sick with the dangerous lung infection last fall in Orange County, including one who died. Local health officials said the outbreak seemed connected to Disneyland, as 19 of the 22 people who were infected had visited the park. But they never pinpointed a cause of the infections. The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration in March cited the park and fined it more than $33,000 for failing to properly clean cooling equipment linked to the outbreak and for other related violations. Cal-OSHA didn't announce the fine. The Times requested and recently obtained the citation. (Karlamangla, 9/6)
In other news from across the state —
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
Longtime Medical Nonprofit Selected To Run San Diego Homeless Intake Center
San Diego officials have selected a longtime local healthcare provider to operate the city’s new homeless intake center, a universal starting point where the homeless can connect to counseling, housing assistance and other services. Family Health Centers of San Diego, which operates more than a dozen local clinics geared for low-income residents, was selected over four other nonprofits that applied to run the center when it opens as early as this fall. The nonprofit, which was founded 48 years ago in Barrio Logan, would receive $1.55 million each year for five years if the City Council approves the selection later this month. (Garrick, 9/6)
East Bay Times:
Alameda Care Facility Sued By Elderly Dementia Patient
An elderly woman with dementia is suing an Alameda care facility claiming she was illegally evicted and retaliated against for whistleblowing on her mistreatment. Ila Dicks, 77, has been living at the Oakmont of Mariner Point 24-hour care facility since October 2015. But according to a lawsuit filed last month in Sonoma County Superior Court, she alleges that since becoming a resident she has suffered from avoidable falls, including one where she was left on the floor for 30 minutes, has been unnecessarily chemically restrained, and had dental damage and other injures. The lawsuit alleges elder abuse, negligent hiring and supervision. (Ruggiero, 9/6)
Capital Public Radio:
Family Of Stephon Clark Seeks More Than $15 Million From Sacramento In Wrongful-Death Claim
The family of Stephon Clark is seeking damages "in excess of $15 million" for his death, according to the city of Sacramento. The city says the family filed a wrongful-death and negligence claim on Tuesday. It alleges the police officers who fatally shot Clark this past March caused the family harm and suffering. (Miller, 9/6)
Abortion rights was in the spotlight at Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's third day of hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Emails revealed Kavanaugh talking about the Supreme Court overturning Roe V. Wade, which was in contrast to his defense of precedent earlier in the week. Kavanaugh, though, said that he was reflecting “an accurate description of all legal scholars,” not expressing his own opinion. Meanwhile, the nominee's use of "abortion inducing drugs" to describe contraception set off alarm bells with abortion rights advocates. Media outlets offer glimpses and insights into the rest of the day, as well.
The New York Times:
Newly Revealed Emails Raise Fresh Objections To Kavanaugh Confirmation
The disclosure on Thursday of dozens of previously secret emails involving Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh provoked pointed new questions on the third day of his Supreme Court confirmation hearings, as Democrats pressed him to explain fresh disclosures on abortion rights, affirmative action and previous testimony to the Senate. Much of the tumult surrounded one quotation from an email that Judge Kavanaugh wrote as a lawyer in George W. Bush’s White House concerning the landmark abortion decision Roe v. Wade: “I am not sure that all legal scholars refer to Roe as the settled law of the land at the Supreme Court level since Court can always overrule its precedent, and three current Justices on the Court would do so.” (Savage and Stolberg, 9/6)
The Wall Street Journal:
Kavanaugh Weathers Raucous Hearing
The nominee told senators at the hearing that in the email he was evaluating how the Supreme Court might view a particular issue, not providing his own viewpoint on Roe. Judge Kavanaugh established a strongly conservative record on the D.C. Circuit Court. If he is confirmed to replace the retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy, it is expected by Republicans and Democrats alike to shift the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence sharply to the right. (Bravin and Tau, 9/7)
Politico:
Kavanaugh Faces New Scrutiny Over Abortion After Leaked Email
But his 2003 email pointed out what he hasn’t acknowledged in testimony on Roe — that the Supreme Court could reverse precedent. “To be very clear, Judge Kavanaugh personally highlighted that precedent can be overturned,” Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the ranking member of the health committee, said in a press conference Thursday. “And he was literally counting the number of judges who stand ready to overturn Roe v. Wade.” (Cancryn and Roubein, 9/6)
The New York Times:
Here’s What Happened On Day 3 Of The Kavanaugh Confirmation Hearing
Judge Kavanaugh’s abortion views created a stir outside the hearing room. Adding to the concerns of abortion rights advocates was a Kavanaugh reference to contraceptives as “abortion-inducing drugs.” He was answering a question from Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, about his dissent in a case involving Priests for Life, a religious organization that objected to a regulation under the Affordable Care Act requiring many employers to provide free insurance coverage for contraception to their female workers. The group had objected to an accommodation offered by the Obama administration that allowed it to obtain a waiver by completing a form. (Stolberg, Savage and Liptak, 9/6)
Politico:
Murkowski, Collins Face New Abortion Pressure On Kavanaugh
A newly released email by Brett Kavanaugh, weighing in on the future of abortion rights, is putting new pressure on two moderate Republicans who hold the keys to his confirmation. But Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine aren’t raising concerns yet. (Everett, 9/6)
The Washington Post:
Trump And Questions Of Presidential Power Dominate Third Day Of Kavanaugh Hearings
Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, including some Republicans, pressed Kavanaugh about the judge’s expansive views of presidential power and past writings that concluded civil suits and criminal investigations of presidents would be better delayed until the chief executive left office. Democratic senators said it was crucial to have an independent Supreme Court in what Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) called “the age of Trump.” (Barnes, Kim, Marimow and Berman, 9/6)
Los Angeles Times:
New Documents Released About Kavanaugh, But Trump's High Court Pick Is On Track For Confirmation
With Republicans in control of the Senate, Kavanaugh now appears on track to be confirmed by the end of the month. “You’re gonna get confirmed,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told him. “You’re gonna make it.” (Haberkorn, Savage and Wire, 9/6)
The New York Times:
The Future Of Abortion Under A New Supreme Court? Look To Arkansas
When a patient arrived this spring at the only abortion clinic in western Arkansas, the doctor had startling news: A new state law had gone into effect, and clinics could no longer perform abortions via medication in the state. “Wait — all of Arkansas?” the patient asked her doctor, Stephanie Ho. “Yes,” Dr. Ho remembered replying. (Tavernise, 9/7)
The Washington Post:
Potential 2020 Candidates Use Kavanaugh Hearings To Show Resistance To Trump
Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.) on Thursday portrayed himself as a rebel willing to face expulsion from the Senate for releasing confidential documents from Kavanaugh, describing it as his “I am Spartacus” moment. In reality, the documents had already been cleared for release. Sen. Kamala D. Harris (Calif.) hinted that she might have hard evidence that Kavanaugh spoke about the special counsel investigation with someone at the law firm founded by Trump’s personal attorney. But she offered no such details when pressed. Booker and Harris, two of the Democratic Party’s most prominent African Americans, took the headline-grabbing but shaky steps to put their opposition to Trump and Kavanaugh on full display for the country. (Sullivan, 9/6)
The 1997 Flores settlement has helped govern the treatment of minors in federal custody for the past 20 years, and has survived numerous court challenges. The Trump administration, however, is proposing a new rule that would lift the 20-day limit established in Flores.
The New York Times:
Trump Administration Moves To Sidestep Restrictions On Detaining Migrant Children
The Trump administration moved on Thursday to remove court-imposed time limits on the detention of migrant children, proposing to end 20 years of judicial oversight and allow families to be held indefinitely in secure facilities as their cases wend through the immigration courts. The proposed new regulation reflects President Trump’s frustration that thousands of families from Central America and elsewhere are continuing to stream across the southwest border, assured in part by guarantees in the current legal process that migrants who arrive with children will not be held for long periods in detention. (Dickerson, 9/6)
The Associated Press:
Group: Reports Of Sex Abuse At Kids' Shelters Need Inquiry
A group formed in the wake of outrage over the separation of immigrant families at the Mexico border criticized an investigation by the state of Arizona into reports that some of those children were sexually abused at shelters. The group Uncage and Reunite Families, composed of elected officials, community activists and religious leaders called on Gov. Doug Ducey to launch an independent investigation after the one conducted by the state health services department only found issues with personnel records and delayed background checks. (9/6)
In other national health care news —
The New York Times:
DeVos Punts To Congress On Federally Funded Guns For Schools
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has left it to Congress to decide whether states can use federal funds to purchase firearms for their schools, prompting congressional Democrats to begin a last-ditch effort to restrict those funds. Conservatives said Ms. DeVos’s stance was consistent with her championing of local school control. But Democrats and advocates denounced her decision as a tacit endorsement of federally funded firearms in schools, and federal policy experts saw the move as an abdication of the department’s core function to help districts navigate the federal bureaucracy. (Green, 9/6)
The New York Times:
The E.P.A.’s Review Of Mercury Rules Could Remake Its Methods For Valuing Human Life And Health
When writing environmental rules, one of the most important calculations involves weighing the financial costs against any gains in human life and health. The formulas are complex, but the bottom line is that reducing the emphasis on health makes it tougher to justify a rule. Last week the Trump administration took a crucial step toward de-emphasizing the life and health benefits in this calculus when the Environmental Protection Agency said it would rethink a major regulation that restricts mercury emissions by coal-burning power plants. (Davenport and Friedman, 9/7)
The Hill:
Trump Health Chief Meets With GOP Lawmakers On Lowering Drug Prices
Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar on Thursday met with Republican lawmakers on the House Ways and Means Committee to discuss ways to lower drug prices. President Trump has railed against drug prices and his administration has rolled out a series of actions seeking to lower prices, though many say the moves have been relatively modest. (Sullivan, 9/6)
The Hill:
Senate To Vote Next Week On Opioid Package
The Senate will vote next week on a package of bills aimed at curbing the nation's opioid epidemic, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced Thursday. McConnell's spokesman said that Democrats had dropped their holds on the legislation. Some Democrats had previously objected to a provision, calling it an earmark for a PhRMA-funded advocacy group. (Hellmann, 9/6)
The New York Times:
Kids, Get Your Flu Shot
The American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending that everyone older than 6 months get a flu shot for the 2018-19 season as soon as it is available, preferably before the end of October. The policy statement, published in the October issue of Pediatrics, states that the inactivated influenza vaccine, which is given as a shot, is best. Children with egg allergy, even severe allergy, can take the shot safely. (Bakalar, 9/6)
A selection of opinions on health care developments from around the state.
Los Angeles Times:
Healthcare Isn't A Game. The Texas ACA Lawsuit Could Be Catastrophic For Public Health
Since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law in 2010, America’s access to healthcare has improved dramatically. Roughly 20 million Americans have gained health insurance coverage. Medicare beneficiaries can now get free preventive care and pay less for prescription drugs. And no one can be denied coverage based on preexisting conditions. And yet, a group of 20 Republican governors and attorneys general are trying to accomplish in court what Republican lawmakers repeatedly failed to do in Congress: removal of the ACA and its vital protections for consumers. (Georges C. Benjamin, 9/4)
Los Angeles Times:
Brett Kavanaugh Will Be Our Next Supreme Court Justice For All The Wrong Reasons
On Thursday, Judge Brett Kavanaugh completed two days of answering questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee that is considering his nomination to the Supreme Court. In some other reality, the Los Angeles Times editorial board would be struggling to reconcile our profound concern about how Kavanaugh might move a divided court further to the right with our longstanding view that presidents are entitled to considerable deference from the Senate, so long as their nominees to the court are well qualified and within the broad mainstream of legal thought. But in the current political environment, such agonizing is beside the point. (9/7)
Sacramento Bee:
Here Are Three Myths About Supreme Court Nominations
The media discussion surrounding the Brett Kavanaugh nomination for the U.S. Supreme Court has repeated many myths that are simply not true. First, I heard several times that picking justices is a presidential prerogative and the U.S. Senate owes deference to a president’s pick. That is wrong both with regard to the Constitution and our history. The Constitution allows the president to nominate, but requires that the Senate confirm the nominee. The framers were deeply distrustful of executive power and wanted to make sure that two branches of government independently concurred in every major decision. (Erwin Chemerinsky, 9/4)
The Wall Street Journal:
ObamaCare’s Hotel California
Democrats say they’re champions of health care for all, but that narrative needs a reality check. Progressives around the country are working to outlaw insurance products that could cover Americans who have no other affordable options. On Governor Jerry Brown’s desk is a bill that bans the sale of short-term, limited-duration insurance in California. The Trump Administration recently issued rules on the plans, which don’t have to comply with Affordable Care Act mandates. The coverage can now last up to a year, which was the norm before the Obama Administration limited the options to three months. Plans also can be renewed for up to 36 months. (9/3)
The New York Times:
Blame Emergency Rooms For The Out-Of-Control Cost Of Health Care
There are many reasons Americans pay more for health care than citizens of any other country. But one of the most powerful forces driving cost increases is buried in a little-known set of regulations concerning emergency room care. These regulations have granted hospitals what is essentially a monopoly over emergency room patients, allowing them to charge basically whatever they want. ... Data from California illustrate how hospitals have exploited this situation. From 2002 to 2016, total billed charges by hospitals rose by a staggering $263 billion, to $386 billion, even though the number of patients admitted did not increase. (Glenn Melnick, 9/5)
Sacramento Bee:
Free Play Is Great For Kids. Now Pediatricians Say So
The award for best line ever in a medical report: “Play is not frivolous.” It’s not new, the idea that free play helps children develop in remarkable ways. Multiple studies have found that play builds social skills and creativity and develops the ability to solve problems and to collaborate. (Karin Klein, 9/4)