Latest From California Healthline:
California Healthline Original Stories
Popular Weed Killer’s Alleged Link To Cancer Spreads Concern
The main ingredient in numerous popular herbicides has been implicated by two juries in the cancers of frequent users, but major public health agencies disagree over whether it is a carcinogen. Can you use it safely in your garden? Here are some answers to questions you may have about the weed killer glyphosate. (Marla Cone, )
Good morning! President Donald Trump may have pulled an about-face on the health law, but the political ramifications of bringing the issue back into the national spotlight might haunt Republicans for months to come. More on that below, but first, here are some of your top California health stories for the day.
A ‘More Outrage’ Or A ‘State Of Mind’?: Child Poverty Tossed Around As Political Football, With Vulnerable Population Caught In Between: At a time when counties in California have as high as 43 percent of children under the age of four living in poverty, politicians often use the vulnerable population as a talking point. But actually fixing the problem can be a lot more difficult. Experts say that housing prices are a main part of why the numbers have become so dire, and that will need to be addressed before the numbers will improve. On top of that, one of the most decisive budget cuts in the years of the recession was to subsidized child care that the state of California provided for low-income families. So add to the stagnating wages and high housing costs the “shrinking availability of affordable childcare,” said Sara Kimberlin of the California Budget and Policy Center. And then you have “a perfect storm that really made it difficult for families with children to make ends meet.” Lori Turk of the Lucile Packard Foundation wonders why the moral outrage at the increasing child poverty numbers isn’t more widespread. “One in five babies being born into poverty in California is just absolutely unforgivable,” Turk said. Read more from KQED.
California Lawmakers Introduce Bill In U.S. Congress To Fight Homeless Crisis: The legislation from California Democrats Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Ted Lieu would dole out $750 million in grants nationwide to local governments and nonprofits in an effort to address the homeless crisis. Those entities could then allocate the money to programs that provided housing, mental health services, substance abuse services, case managers and more to the homeless. Advocates say the pot isn’t nearly large enough—Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to devote $500 million to addressing homelessness in California alone—but it’s a good start. There’s hope, though, that the $750 million figure, while not enough to fully address the issue, hits the sweet spot of significant enough to help but not so high the bill is railroaded before it begins. Read more from the Sacramento Bee.
In related news, the California Legislature is mulling a measure that would force colleges to let homeless students sleep inside their vehicles on their campuses at night. Read more from the Mercury News.
Advocates Try To Bring California Up To Snuff When It Comes To ‘Menstrual Equity’: Menstrual equity in California would mean exempting period products from state sales tax and ensuring that tampons and pads are provided as freely as toilet paper in public schools and universities, government building and prisons. Already in the state, public schools in low-income areas are required to provide free period products, and an ongoing state Superior Court case claims the state is violating the 14th Amendment equal protection clause by taxing the sales of period products, arguing that tampons and pads are not luxuries. But the most closely watched effort is underway in the state Capitol, where lawmakers expect to advance a bill to end that sales tax. A similar bill in 2016 cleared the legislature, but it was vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown. With Newsom in place, some people have renewed hope. Read more from CALmatters.
Below, check out the full round-up of California Healthline original stories, state coverage and the best of the rest of the national news for the day.
More News From Across The State
Ventura County Star:
Ronald McDonald Family Room Coming To Ventura Hospital, 5K Fundraiser
A fundraising walk Sunday supports a more than seven-year drive to bring a Ronald McDonald Family Room to the Ventura County Medical Center. The nearly 2,500-square-foot space will be designed to give parents of children facing cancer, blood disease, premature birth and other conditions a chance to decompress. "Parents tend to hover in the ICU, and quite frankly, that's not good for them. That's not good for the children. It's not really good for the hospital staff," said Vince Bryson, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California, referring to a family room that will be the third of its kind in Southern California. "It's respite inside of the hospital. The whole family can come and take a break." (Kisken, 4/2)
Sacramento Bee:
Brain Scan Ensures Dementia Patients Get Proper Diagnosis
Researchers at the Alzheimer’s Association and the University of California reported results of a new study Tuesday, showing that when doctors were able to definitively diagnose Alzheimer’s disease using brain scans, they changed their patients’ treatment in roughly two-thirds of the cases. Researchers said they had not expected the brain scan results, which used positron emission tomography, to have such a big impact on diagnoses and treatment, but that doctors and patients clearly benefited from seeing whether Alzheimer’s telltale amyloid plaques were visible in images. (Anderson, 4/3)
The Mercury News:
New Bill Would Require Colleges To Let Homeless Students Park Overnight
While acknowledging the state’s long-term need for more affordable housing, the assemblyman said homeless students need help right now. In 2016, the state passed a law requiring the colleges to give homeless students access to campus shower facilities. (Deruy, 4/2)
Reuters:
Bayer Board Says Pursuit Of Monsanto Was Done Diligently
Bayer's non-executive board reaffirmed its support for top management's decision to acquire seed maker Monsanto last year, after losing high-profile lawsuits to U.S. plaintiffs who claimed Monsanto's Roundup weedkiller caused their cancer. In documents posted on the company's website on Monday, the non-executive supervisory board said an expert opinion it commissioned from lawfirm Linklaters found that Bayer's management had complied with their duties when acquiring Monsanto for $63 billion last year. (4/2)
The New York Times:
Drug Sites Upend Doctor-Patient Relations: ‘It’s Restaurant-Menu Medicine’
The sites promise easy and embarrassment-free access to erectile dysfunction and libido pills. “E.D. meds prescribed online, delivered to your door,” one said recently. “Starting at $2 per dose.” “Low sex drive? That can be optional,” another one said. “Try today — $99.” The sites, Roman and Hers, as well as others now make obtaining lifestyle drugs for sexual health, hair loss and anxiety nearly as easy as ordering dinner online. (Singer and Thomas, 4/2)
KPCC:
Cannabis Convictions, Weedmaps, Water Infrastructure
We speak with L.A. County District Attorney Jackie Lacey about the plan to overturn thousands of pot convictions. And we find out what officials plan to do about Weedmaps promoting unlicensed pot shops. Plus, SoCal's water infrastructure. (Martínez, 4/2)
The New York Times:
Trump Retreats On Health Care After McConnell Warns It Won’t Happen
President Trump backed off plans to introduce a Republican replacement for the Affordable Care Act after Senator Mitch McConnell privately warned him that the Senate would not revisit health care in a comprehensive way before the November 2020 elections. Reversing himself in the face of Republican consternation, Mr. Trump said his party would not produce a health care plan of its own, as he had promised, until after the elections, meaning he will only try to fulfill his first-term promise to repeal and replace his predecessor’s signature program if he wins a second term. (Pear and Haberman, 4/2)
The Associated Press:
'Obamacare' Repeal Off The Table For GOP Until After 2020
"Not any longer." And with that, a triumphant Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared to close the book Tuesday on a divisive Republican debate, convincing President Donald Trump to shelve plans to replace the Affordable Care Act until after the 2020 election. "I made it clear to him that we were not going to be doing that in the Senate," McConnell told reporters. (4/3)
The Hill:
McConnell To Trump: We're Not Repealing And Replacing ObamaCare
“We had a good conversation yesterday afternoon and I pointed out to him the Senate Republicans’ view on dealing with comprehensive health care reform with a Democratic House of Representatives,” McConnell told reporters Tuesday, describing his conversation with Trump. (Bolton, 4/2)
The Wall Street Journal:
GOP Puts Off Unveiling New Health Plan Until After 2020 Election
Heading into the campaign season, the GOP is now on track to pursue targeted measures aimed at lowering drug prices and out-of-pocket costs, as well as attacking such ideas as Medicare for All. Democrats are focused on driving down costs and defending the ACA against GOP-led legal attacks, with some in the party floating broader health-care proposals such as a government-run health system. (Armour and Peterson, 4/2)
The Washington Post:
Trump Leaves Washington Reeling With Policy Whiplash As He Struggles With Domestic Agenda
The battles illustrate the difficulties Trump and Republicans have had in adjusting to Democratic control of the House after two years of uncontested GOP power in Congress and the White House. But many Republicans say they have adapted to the pandemonium — learning to privately sway Trump by warning him of the consequences of his policy declarations, many of which are launched in late-night or early-morning tweets. GOP lawmakers, for instance, think they have successfully headed off any major health-care effort, which they fear would open them up to damaging Democratic attacks. Even so, a legal challenge targeting the Obama-era health law, and backed by the Trump administration, virtually ensures that the issue will remain at the forefront of the president’s reelection campaign. (Kim and Werner, 4/2)
The Associated Press:
Trump Tells Republicans To Embrace Health Care In 2020 Race
President Donald Trump told House Republicans on Tuesday that they need to embrace health care reform and make it the first thing they vote on following the 2020 election. Speaking at an annual fundraiser for the National Republican Congressional Committee, Trump told GOP lawmakers and supporters they have the advantage on a variety of issues, but conceded that Democrats have the advantage on health care. "We have to take that away from them," Trump said. (4/2)
The Hill:
Democratic Senators Unveil 'Medicare X' Bill To Expand Coverage
Two Democratic senators rolled out a proposal Tuesday that would allow anyone to buy Medicare plans, a proposal they say is a more realistic than proposals like Medicare for all that would eliminate private insurance companies and reshape the American health care system. The introduction of “Medicare X” comes as the Democratic Party debates its next steps on health care, with the left wing of the caucus pushing for a single-payer "Medicare for all" system and more moderate members supporting efforts to strengthen the Affordable Care Act (ACA). (Hellmann, 4/2)
The Wall Street Journal:
Congress Looks To Tackle Surprise Medical Bills
A push to curb surprise medical bills has found support among both Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill but also ignited a fight within the health-care industry over how far the federal government should go in regulating prices. While President Trump and members of Congress are sharply divided over U.S. health-care policy more broadly, they have largely come together over the need to tackle surprise bills, which can leave patients with thousands of dollars in unexpected charges. The House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing Tuesday on protecting patients from surprise charges. (Armour, 4/2)
The Hill:
Insulin Manufacturers To Testify As Part Of House Pricing Probe
The only three companies that manufacture insulin in the United States will testify in the House next week about their pricing practices. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), chairwoman of the House Energy and Commerce oversight subcommittee, said the three companies— Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi— will testify April 10. “We want to know why the cost of this life-saving drug has skyrocketed in recent years, and why they’re not offering more lower-cost alternatives to patients,” DeGette said. (Weixel, 4/2)
Politico:
GOP Makes Long-Shot Push To Force Anti-Abortion Vote
House Republicans on Tuesday launched a long-shot bid to force a vote on anti-abortion legislation — an issue they plan to hammer vulnerable Democrats on even if they can’t secure action on the floor. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), along with Rep. Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), filed a discharge petition to circumvent Democratic leadership and bring the “Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act” to the floor if it gets 218 signatures. The legislation would require infants who survive attempted abortions to receive medical care. (Zanona, 4/2)
The Wall Street Journal:
Generic-Drug Trends Squeeze Walgreens Profit
Smaller profit from the sale of generic drugs is squeezing the two biggest U.S. pharmacy chains, with Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. joining rival CVS Health Corp. in lowering earnings goals for the year. Walgreens cut its forecast on Tuesday after experiencing what the company described as its most difficult quarter since the 2014 merger of Walgreens and Alliance Boots. Its shares fell 13% on Tuesday, while CVS lost 3.8%, extending a slump dating to late February when the drugstore chain lowered its 2019 profit target. (Terlep and Walker, 4/2)
The Associated Press:
Family Behind OxyContin Calls Opioid Suit False, Misleading
Massachusetts authorities created a false picture of the Sackler family's role in promoting OxyContin, the Sacklers said Tuesday in their first court response to allegations that individual family members — not just their company, Purdue Pharma — helped fuel the deadly opioid epidemic. The Sackler family says a lawsuit filed by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey that accuses Connecticut-based Purdue Pharma and the family of hiding the risks of opioids from doctors and patients is riddled with inaccurate and misleading statements. The Sacklers are accusing Healey of cherry picking from hundreds of internal documents in an attempt to wrongly vilify the family for the public health crisis. (4/2)