- California Healthline Original Stories 2
- Federal Money For State-Level Zika Tracking, Prevention May End This Summer, Worrying Health Officials
- 'Center Of Excellence' Designation Doesn’t Rule Out Complications With Bariatric Surgery
Latest From California Healthline:
California Healthline Original Stories
California has reported more than 500 travel-related Zika infections, and five babies have been born in the state with birth defects related to the mosquito-borne disease. (Ana B. Ibarra, )
'Center Of Excellence' Designation Doesn’t Rule Out Complications With Bariatric Surgery
The risk of serious problems varies widely among bariatric surgery centers, a new study finds. In California, however, there's surprisingly little data on these centers and the procedures they perform. (Michelle Andrews, )
More News From Across The State
Covered California & The Health Law
Insurers Allowed To Turn In Two Proposed 2018 Rates: One If The ACA Stands And One If It's Repealed
Insurers have been increasingly anxious about the deadline to turn in their proposed rate changes as uncertainty continues to swirl around the future of the health law.
Sacramento Bee:
‘Trump Rates’ Or Obamacare Rates? Health Plans Can Send Both To California Regulators
When California health insurance companies begin setting 2018 rates, they’ll be able to offer two different projections without committing to either one. Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones is inviting the 15 or so health insurance providers the state regulates to draw up rates based on different scenarios centered on how the Trump administration enforces the Affordable Care Act. (Ashton, 4/28)
In other news —
Sacramento Bee:
CA Assembly Speaker Talks Single-Payer Health Care, Donald Trump
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, D-Paramount, visited The Bee Capitol Bureau on Wednesday to discuss some of the biggest issues facing the California Legislature this year. Here’s what he had to say. (Koseff, 4/28)
Writers Guild's Generous Health Care Plan Emerges As Sticking Point In Negotiations
The Writers Guild has sought a 1.5 percent increase in employer contributions to its health plan, but Hollywood studios have balked at increasing their contributions and have instead proposed at least $10 million in cuts.
Los Angeles Times:
A Gold-Plated Healthcare Plan Lies At The Center Of A Dispute Between Writers And Major Studios
As writers and studios work to avoid a strike ahead of Monday’s contract deadline, the guild’s employer-funded health plan has emerged as a major bone of contention... The negotiations come amid heightened healthcare anxiety nationwide as President Trump fights with Congress over his promise to repeal and replace Obamacare. (Ng, 4/28)
California Issues First Proposed Regulations For The Medical Marijuana Industry
The 58 pages of draft rules provide insight into the massive job ahead as the state also moves toward regulating recreational use.
The Associated Press:
California Seeks Control Of Unruly Medical Pot Industry
California is trying to get control of its unruly medical marijuana industry. State regulators released draft regulations Friday intended to impose order on the loosely organized marketplace created over two decades ago. The proposal would establish the first comprehensive rules for growing, testing, transporting and selling medical pot in the state that is home to 1 in 8 Americans. (Blood, 4/28)
State Gets $90M Grant To Help Curb Opioid Epidemic
The money will be used to get doctors on board with prescribing buprenorphine, an opioid addiction medication.
Capital Public Radio:
California Boosts Access To Opioid Addiction Treatments
Opioid addiction medications will soon be more accessible in California, thanks to a $90 million federal grant. One project the state is focusing on is helping more physicians prescribe a drug called buprenorphine. (Schilling, 4/28)
In other news —
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
San Diego County Jails Make Changes To Treat Mentally Ill Inmates, Curb Suicides
For decades, jails throughout the state have operated as de facto mental health facilities, a trend that intensified in recent years after California changed its laws to keep some offenders out of the state’s overcrowded prison system. In San Diego County, where there were 12 inmate suicides in 2014 and 2015, Sheriff Bill Gore and his staff have been working to improve mental health services at the county jails to prevent more deaths. (Littlefield, 4/29)
Los Angeles Times:
'How Many People Are Being Shot?' L.A. Sheriff's Watchdog Decries Lack Of Transparency
A little more than two years ago, the primary watchdog over the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department laid out numerous ways the agency was failing to provide the public with basic information about how often deputies use force, the number of complaints alleging misconduct and how many deputies were being disciplined. This week, Inspector General Max Huntsman complained that little has changed. (Lau, 4/29)
Clinic Battles To Lower Diabetes-Related Amputation Rates In Poor Neighborhood
Diabetics can lose sensation in their feet and not notice a small injury. The wound could stay open, eventually becoming infected.
Los Angeles Times:
The Amputation Rate For Diabetics In Poor Areas Is High. This Boyle Heights Clinic Is Trying To Change That
Diabetic amputations are preventable if problems are caught early enough. But poorer people tend to face more amputations; one study found that East L.A.’s amputation rate was eight times higher than in some of California’s richest neighborhoods. (Karlamangla, 5/1)
In other news from across the state —
The Desert Sun:
2 Concussions, 30 Doctors And 3 Years Of Hearing 'I Don’t Know.'
Two weeks after the second concussion, Morgan Decker, 19, abruptly dropped to the ground unconscious at cheer practice. She was rushed to a nearby hospital, given some Benadryl and sent on her way without answers or a simple explanation. It's the sort of medical mystery that is confounding physicians without a concussion or sports medicine specialty, at a time when concussions are one of the most researched topics in medicine. (John, 4/28)
The Mercury News:
Bay Area Twins Beat Young Adult Cancer, Together
Ali underwent a craniotomy, vigorous chemotherapy and radiation while her twin, Sara, played a large role in organizing this weekend’s CancerCon — a conference held in Denver for young adult cancer survivors, caregivers and health care professionals. Beaming with the strength of two, the twins hope to inspire and provide support for others who have been affected by young adult cancer. Cancer affects about 70,000 young adults between the ages of 15 and 39 every year, according to the National Cancer Institute. It is the number one killer of young adults, excluding violent accidents. (Saplakoglu, 4/28)
Los Angeles Times:
Tea Made From Deer Antlers May Cause Botulism; Health Officials Issue Alert
Tea made from deer antlers may have sickened two Orange County residents with botulism, a serious illness caused by a bacteria that can cause paralysis, breathing difficulty and is potentially deadly. One adult has a confirmed case of botulism, and the other has a suspected case, the Orange County Health Care Agency said Friday. An investigation by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health suggests the botulism illnesses may be connected with drinking deer antler tea obtained in March. (Lin, 4/29)
Trump Promises Protections For Preexisting Conditions That May Not Be Delivered By GOP Bill
The president spoke Sunday about the hot-button topic, saying he "mandated" that coverage for preexisting conditions will be in the Republican health care bill. But while the current version of the proposed legislation says "access" is guaranteed for people with preexisting conditions, it is silent on a key point: whether such access must be affordable.
The New York Times:
Pushing For Vote On Health Care Bill, Trump Seems Unclear On Its Details
After two false starts on President Trump’s promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Trump administration officials are pressing the House to vote on a revised version of the Republican repeal bill this week, perhaps as soon as Wednesday, administration officials said. And on Sunday, Mr. Trump insisted that the Republican health legislation would not allow discrimination against people with pre-existing medical conditions, an assertion contradicted by numerous health policy experts as well as the American Medical Association. (Pear, 5/1)
The Associated Press Fact Checker:
Are Trump's Health-Plan Protections Real?
President Donald Trump is promising that the latest Republican health care legislation will cover people with pre-existing conditions "beautifully." Such reassurance is not to be found in the bill that's been under review. (Woodward and Drinkard, 5/1)
The Associated Press:
Fears Of Losing Pre-Existing Conditions Protection Under GOP
From cancer to addiction, doctors and patient groups are warning that the latest Republican health care bill would gut hard-won protections for people with pre-existing medical conditions. Some GOP moderates who may seal the legislation's fate are echoing those concerns. In a strongly worded statement this week, the American Medical Association said the Republican protections "may be illusory." The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said the plan could take the nation back to a "patchwork system" that pushes costs on people with life-threatening conditions. (Alonso-Zaldivar and Fram, 4/28)
Politico:
GOP Faces Make-Or-Break Moment On Obamacare Repeal
House Republican leaders and White House officials are increasingly confident about passing their long-stalled Obamacare replacement bill: More lawmakers than ever are committed to voting “yes," they say, and GOP insiders insist they’re within striking distance of a majority. But the window of opportunity for Speaker Paul Ryan and his leadership team is closing fast. The House is scheduled to leave town for a one-week recess on Thursday, and some senior Republicans worry that failing to get it done by then would fritter away critical momentum. Skittish Republicans would return home to face a barrage of pressure from Democrats and progressive outside groups. (Bade, Bresnahan and Cheney, 4/30)
The Wall Street Journal:
New Plan, Same Hurdle In GOP’s Quest To Gut Obamacare
After weeks of debating and arm-twisting, Republicans intent on toppling the Affordable Care Act remain vexed by the same obstacle they faced when they tried to overturn the law last month: Taking away people’s guaranteed health insurance is hard to do. A renewed effort to bring a House Republican plan to the floor faltered by week’s end, a blow to President Donald Trump’s hopes of landing a health-care deal in his first 100 days. Republicans are vowing to push ahead with the bill, saying it has stalled but not died. (Armour and Peterson, 4/28)
In other national health care news —
The Associated Press:
Lawmakers Settle On Hard-Fought $1 Trillion Spending Bill
Congressional Republicans and Democrats have reached agreement on a huge $1 trillion-plus spending bill that would fund most government operations through September but denies President Donald Trump money for a border wall and rejects his proposed cuts to popular domestic programs. Aides to lawmakers involved in the talks disclosed the agreement Sunday night after weeks of negotiations. The bill was made public in the pre-dawn hours Monday. ... The measure funds the remainder of the 2017 budget year, through Sept. 30, rejecting cuts to popular domestic programs targeted by Trump such as medical research and infrastructure grants. (Taylor, 5/1)
The Washington Post:
Congress Reaches Deal To Keep Government Open Through September
Democrats fought to include $295 million to help Puerto Rico continue making payments to Medicaid, $100 million to combat opioid addiction, and increases in energy and science funding that Trump had proposed cutting. If passed, the legislation will ensure that Planned Parenthood continues to receive federal funding through September. (Snell, 4/30)
The Washington Post:
Trump Appoints Antiabortion Champion To HHS Post
President Trump announced Friday that he will appoint Charmaine Yoest, one of the nation’s most prominent antiabortion activists, to a high-level post in the Department of Health and Human Services. Yoest, a former Reagan administration official who until last year was president of Americans United for Life, will serve as assistant secretary of public affairs. In that position, she will help develop a communications strategy for the sprawling agency that includes Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act and family planning programs. (Somashekhar, 4/28)
The Washington Post:
Lawmakers’ Questionable Stock Trades Prompt New Bill
Rep. Louise M. Slaughter introduced a bill Friday to close “ethics loopholes” in a five-year-old law that has failed to stop members of Congress from taking advantage of exclusive stock deals that are not available to the general public. Slaughter (D-N.Y.), a co-author of the 2012 Stock Act, said she decided that amendments to the law are needed because of controversial, discounted stock purchases that were made by Reps. Chris Collins (R-N.Y.) and Tom Price (R-Ga.), now the secretary of health and human services, in 2015 and 2016. (Kindy, 4/28)
NPR:
Stroke Procedure Results In Miraculous Recovery For Some Patients
On July 17, 2014 Kurt Hinrichs, of Gladstone, Mo., went to bed early. As often happens, he woke in the middle of the night. When he tried to get out of bed, he crashed to the floor, which woke his wife, Alice. "At first it was like, 'What's going on?'" Alice says. "Are you dreaming? Are you sleepwalking?" Kurt wasn't responding to anything Alice asked him, so she called 911. "I [was] thinking, 'this is a nightmare,'" Kurt says. (Zhorov, 5/1)