- California Healthline Original Stories 1
- L.A. County Unlawfully Terminated Thousands Of Medi-Cal Recipients, Court Rules
- Sacramento Watch 1
- California's Next Governor Will Inherit Contentious Issue Of Health Care. Here's What The Candidates' Plans Are.
- Around California 2
- New Initiative Targets Homeless Patients Who Frequently Seek High-Cost Emergency Care
- Personal Data Of Nearly 900 Hospital Patients Exposed
Latest From California Healthline:
California Healthline Original Stories
L.A. County Unlawfully Terminated Thousands Of Medi-Cal Recipients, Court Rules
A judge orders the county to fix problem that harmed low-income seniors and people with disabilities, including those with serious health conditions. (Anna Gorman, )
More News From Across The State
While the governor might not have to make a decision on single-payer, it's likely health care will be a big issue in the next few years as California tries to stabilize its marketplace and expand coverage.
San Francisco Chronicle:
Where California’s Candidates For Governor Stand On Fixing Health Care
The top six gubernatorial candidates not only differ when it comes to single-payer, they disagree on what to do next to fix the state’s $400 billion health care industry. And few offer specifics on how they would implement their ideas. (Garofoli, 5/13)
In other news —
Capital Public Radio:
No Major Bump For Medi-Cal, Covered California In Governor’s Revise Despite Push From Lawmakers
Gov. Jerry Brown opted not to include major long-term investments in public health insurance programs in his budget revision on Friday, citing a preference for one-time spending measures. ...The announcement comes after an ambitious request from an Assembly health committee last week: $1 billion from the general fund surplus to make a number of investments. (Caiola, 5/11)
New Initiative Targets Homeless Patients Who Frequently Seek High-Cost Emergency Care
The Whole Person Care program aims to bring hospitals, behavioral health centers, housing programs and others together to coordinate services for homeless people so they don't end up on the streets, disoriented and confused.
Sacramento Bee:
Homeless People Cycle Between Hospitals And Streets. Is Whole Person Care The Answer?
It is a cycle that repeats itself regularly among Sacramento's homeless men and women, and one that the community's pilot Whole Person Care program intends to address. The $64 million program, which officially launched this month, targets homeless people who are frequent users of costly emergency medical services. (Hubert, 5/11)
Meanwhile —
The Wall Street Journal:
Los Angeles Mayor’s Political Future Tied To Plan To Solve City’s Homeless Crisis
Since taking office five years ago, Mayor Eric Garcetti has marketed this city as a model of how an American metropolis can dream big: wooing the 2028 Olympics, courting high-tech companies and pushing for a “subway to the sea.” But last month, the mayor tied his political future to a goal that has long vexed policy makers here: housing the city’s homeless, which he publicly declared his “No. 1 issue.” Homelessness has exploded during his tenure, leaving Los Angeles with a fast growing population of people living in cars, parks and on the streets. (Malas and Lazo, 5/13)
Personal Data Of Nearly 900 Hospital Patients Exposed
The U.S. Department of Justice investigated the incident and said the patient information did not appear to be used or sold.
San Francisco Chronicle:
Data Breach Affects Nearly 900 Patients From Two San Francisco Hospitals
The personal information of nearly 900 patients of San Francisco General and Laguna Honda hospitals was breached after a former employee of one of the hospitals’ vendors got unauthorized access to the data, the San Francisco Public Health Department said Friday. (Ho, 5/11)
In other news from across the state —
KPCC:
California Pot Revenue Is Lower Than Forecast. Are Taxes Too High?
When California legalized recreational marijuana sales in January, a bonanza in tax revenue was expected. But so far that hasn't materialized — and ironically, some say revenue has been low precisely because taxes have been too high. (Wagner, 5/11)
Doctors Should Be Discussing Gun Safety With Aging Patients, Researchers Say
"No one would challenge you about discussing driving safety with a patient having memory trouble," said Dr. Donovan Maust, a University of Michigan psychiatry professor.
Los Angeles Times:
As More Older Americans Struggle With Dementia, What Happens To Their Guns?
The man had been a patient for decades, retired now from a career in which firearms were a part of the job. He was enjoying his days hunting, or at the shooting range with friends. But episodes of confusion had led to a suspicion of dementia, and the nights were the worst: At sundown, he became disoriented, anxious and a little paranoid, and had started sleeping with his loaded pistol under the pillow. One night, he pointed it at his wife as she returned from the bathroom. It wasn't clear whether he recognized her, but he was certainly confused — and she was terrified. Thankfully, the incident did not end in disaster. (Healy, 5/11)
NPR:
Researchers Study American Gun Violence
February's mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., which left 17 dead and 17 more wounded, horrified people across the country, spurring student walkouts and marches in support of stricter gun control laws, including universal, comprehensive background checks and a ban on assault weapons. But gun debates in the United States have proven to be contentious and intractable. Even as thousands rally for new legislation, opponents contend that such measures won't prevent determined criminals from obtaining a firearm and that responsible gun ownership makes communities safer. (Skibba, 5/12)
Patients Who Are In 'Unbearable Pain' Scared Of Losing Opioids In Midst Of Crisis
"We are overreacting to the need to lower opioid prescribing by punishing patients," says Dr. Kelly Pfeifer.
KPCC:
Is The Crackdown On Opioids Failing Patients?
Many chronic pain patients are middle-aged and older adults, who are among the highest users of prescription opioids. Some have been stranded by well-intentioned policies designed to curb abuse. (Replogle, 5/14)
In other public health news —
KQED:
SF Voters May Ban Menthol Cigarettes, Vape Flavors
San Francisco could become the first city in the nation to ban flavored tobacco products from all store shelves. This includes everything from candy flavored e-cigarettes to conventional menthol smokes. (McClurg, 5/14)
The Mercury News:
Report: Mentally Ill Are In 40 Percent Of Police Shootings
In the most definitive look yet at a growing public-safety problem facing South Bay police today, a new civil grand jury report reveals that nearly 40 percent of officer shootings in Santa Clara County involve someone who is mentally ill. So the watchdog group is urging law enforcement agencies and public health officials to step up training and resources to combat the troublesome trend. (Salonga, 5/11)
Apart From A Few 'Sacrificial Lambs,' Pharma Emerges From Trump's Speech Largely Unscathed
President Donald Trump's long-anticipated speech on curbing drug prices focused on reducing inefficiencies in the current system, rather than taking swings at pharmaceutical companies. Trump had a few barbs for the industry, noting that “the drug lobby is making an absolute fortune at the expense of customers,” but the only proposal that specifically dealt with prescription drug pricing was a suggestion that a treatment’s cost be disclosed in its advertisements.
The New York Times:
Trump Promises Lower Drug Prices, But Drops Populist Solutions
President Trump vowed on Friday to “bring soaring drug prices back down to earth” by promoting competition among pharmaceutical companies, and he suggested that the government could require drugmakers to disclose prices in their ubiquitous television advertising. But he dropped the popular and populist proposals of his presidential campaign, opting not to have the federal government directly negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare. And he chose not to allow American consumers to import low-cost medicines from abroad. (Pear, 5/11)
The Wall Street Journal:
Trump’s Plan To Cut Drug Prices Leaves Industry Relieved
In a blueprint released simultaneously, the administration proposed more modest changes to the way Medicare pays for costly drugs. The plan includes more than 50 initiatives, though many of them involve potential future actions rather than immediate changes. “I don’t want to overpromise that somehow on Monday there’s a radical change,” Mr. Azar said. “This is the possible restructuring of a major sector of the economy. One doesn’t do that lightly.” (Radnofsky, Armour and Walker, 5/11)
The Washington Post:
Trump Promises To ‘Derail The Gravy Train’ And Lower Drug Prices In ‘American Patients First’ Plan
In a major departure from his early and harsh criticism of pharmaceutical companies, Trump lashed into the entire supply chain that lies between drugmakers and patients, including health insurers, distributors and the little-known industry that negotiates drug prices. “We’re very much eliminating the middlemen. The middlemen became very, very rich, right?” Trump said. “Whoever those middlemen were — a lot of people never even figured it out — they’re rich. They won’t be so rich anymore.” Trump has criticized drug companies for having too much power and said Friday that the industry lobby “is making an absolute fortune at the expense of American consumers.” (Johnson, 5/11)
Stat:
Trump Administration's Drug Pricing Plan Sparse On Details
It’s unclear how the bevvy of proposals would work independently or together to actually save money for patients. The blueprint offers few specific details about how any of these ideas would be implemented, and barely commits the government to doing anything, often saying that the Department of Health and Human Services “may” take certain actions. (Swetlitz, Mershon and Facher, 5/11)
The New York Times:
6 Takeaways From Trump’s Plans To Try To Lower Drug Prices
As the health care world parsed the president’s newly released “blueprint” to lower drug prices, the overarching insight seemed to be this: The drug industry’s formidable lobbyists had won some key victories, even if they did not escape entirely unscathed. Many proposals were light on detail and will need action by Congress to become real. Yet Mr. Trump won some praise for having taken a stab at tackling such a complex and vitally important issue to many Americans. (Thomas, 5/11)
Stat:
Trump Vowed To Rein In Pharma. His Speech Sent Drug Stocks Soaring
The two largest indices for biotech and pharmaceutical companies rose about 2 percent after Trump’s speech, as investors saw little to fear for drug makers. The stock prices of Pfizer, Merck, Gilead Sciences, and Amgen all spiked after Trump’s speech. Wall Street analysts said the speech posed few threats to the drug industry on the whole. “There may be some one-off sacrificial lambs in there, but for the most part the focus is on reducing inefficiencies in the current system,” said Brian Skorney, an analyst at Baird. “These, in large part, aren’t benefiting the sector as a whole, so any success at reducing them is probably net neutral.” (Feuerstein and Garde, 5/11)
NPR:
Trump Speech Takes Broad Swipe At Prescription Drug Prices
Azar, in a briefing following the Rose Garden speech, acknowledged the plan is sweeping and would take years to implement. He said the administration will pursue those ideas it can get done. "This is a major restructuring of a huge portion of the U.S. economy. One doesn't do that lightly," he said. (Kodjak, 5/11)
In Politically Charged Year, Democrats Talk Up Expanded Government Role In Health Care
Voters have signaled that health care will be a key issue in the elections, and Democrats hope that the tables have turned from previous election cycles when they were on the defense.
The Wall Street Journal:
Health Law Is Back As Campaign Issue—This Time For Democrats
Republicans have often won support in recent elections by promising to repeal the Affordable Care Act. This year, Democrats hope to turn the tables by pushing the opposite goal—not just keeping the health law, but expanding government’s role in health care. The tactic, which carries political risk as well as opportunity, is playing out in places such as Minnesota, a state won narrowly by Hillary Clinton in 2016 that is facing a governor’s race, two Senate contests and five close House races. Democrats need to gain 23 House seats to retake the chamber, so the state is critical. (Armour and Epstein, 5/11)
In other national health care news —
The Associated Press:
Insider Q&A: Insurers Look Beyond Medical Bills To Cut Costs
Health insurers are moving beyond medical claims. They want to know if you have a ride to the doctor's office or if you're eating right too. It's a push to keep people healthy and control medical spending. WellCare Health Plans Inc. has been traveling this path for years. The Medicaid and Medicare Advantage coverage provider started a toll-free phone line in 2014 to connect callers with social services and programs that help with things like food, housing or transportation. (5/13)
The Wall Street Journal:
Is This Hospital Takeover Permitted? Ask The Catholic Church
It isn’t just the Federal Trade Commission scrutinizing U.S. health-care mergers these days. The Vatican is watching, too. Some of the biggest recent deals involve nonprofit hospitals affiliated with the Catholic Church, which make up about 8% of U.S. hospitals. Many began as small institutions founded by nuns more than a century ago. But as they have combined and grown into large corporations, they are posing new moral quandaries for church officials, who have a say in which mergers go ahead. (Evans, 5/14)
The Washington Post:
Viagra And Many Other Drugs Were Discovered By Chance. Now Science Is Hoping To Change That.
When a medication being developed to treat a heart condition gave patients erections, drugmakers knew they had a winner — not for angina, but for erectile dysfunction. That drug is now known as Viagra. Figuring out that a drug developed for one ailment can be effective for another was once a matter of chance. In the case of Viagra, for example, the discovery emerged by observing an unintended but beneficial side effect. Now, technological and scientific advances are allowing researchers to rely more on science and less on luck in hopes of cutting the time and expense involved in getting new treatments to patients. (Swartz, 5/13)
USA Today:
For Every Woman Who Dies In Childbirth In The U.S., 70 More Come Close
A mother giving birth in the U.S. is about three times as likely to die as a mother in Britain and Canada. In the course of our reporting, another disturbing statistic emerged: For every American woman who dies from childbirth, 70 nearly die. That adds up to more than 50,000 women who suffer "severe maternal morbidity" from childbirth each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A patient safety group, the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health, came up with an even higher figure. After conducting an in-depth study of devastating complications in hospitals in four states, it put the nationwide number at around 80,000. (Montagne, 5/10)
The Wall Street Journal:
Food Makers Vow To Cut Trans Fats Globally
The public health arm of the United Nations said it will urge governments to ban or restrict those fats and replace them with healthier fats and oils. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said eliminating trans fats from human diets would be “a global win in the fight against cardiovascular disease.” Multinational companies that make trans fats and have used them as ingredients said they have largely eliminated those oils from foods in the U.S., parts of Europe and Canada, where governments already restrict their use. But trans fats remain widely used where regulators and food makers have been slower to take action. Many of the fats are in foods or oils made by local producers. (McKay and Bunge, 5/14)
The Washington Post:
A Surprising Bullying Battleground: Senior Centers
The unwanted were turned away from cafeteria tables. Fistfights broke out at karaoke. Dances became breeding grounds for gossip and cruelty. It became clear this place had a bullying problem on its hands. What many found surprising was that the perpetrators and victims alike were all senior citizens. Nursing homes, senior centers and housing complexes for the elderly have introduced programs, training and policies aimed at curbing spates of bullying, an issue once thought the exclusive domain of the young. (Sedensky, 5/12)
The Washington Post:
Troubling Link Found Between Pollution Exposure In Pregnancy, High Blood Pressure In Children
High blood pressure typically occurs in adulthood, so when children develop the condition, it often means something is very wrong. A child might have kidney disease, hyperthyroidism or a heart problem. Obesity can also be a factor. But what about seemingly healthy youngsters whose blood pressure has shot up? Their risk, a study suggests, may trace back to before their birth. (Cha, 5/14)