Daily Edition for Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Is California's For-Profit Psychiatric System Destroying Lives?: Psychiatric hospitals operated by for-profit companies are now the fastest-growing destination for tens of thousands of Californians experiencing emergencies. But some say companies have capitalized on lax state regulations, generating massive earnings while exposing patients to deadly neglect. Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Years Later, Centene Settlements With States Still Unfinished
By Andy Miller
At least 20 states have settled disputes with health insurance giant Centene since 2021 over allegations that its pharmacy benefit manager operation overcharged their Medicaid programs. Two holdouts appear to remain: Georgia has not yet settled, and Florida officials won’t answer questions about its Centene situation.
CDC Firings Undermine Public Health Work Far Beyond Washington
By Rachana Pradhan
The Trump administration’s sudden firings have gutted training programs across the nation that bolstered state and local public health departments.
To Patients, Parents, and Caregivers, Proposed Medicaid Cuts Are a Personal Affront
By Bernard J. Wolfson
At a town hall in Orange County, California, angry residents said Congress should keep its hands off Medicaid. The cuts contemplated in a House budget blueprint would bore a giant hole in California’s version of the safety net health insurance program, Medi-Cal, which covers nearly 15 million residents.
Por qué los despidos en salud pública ponen en peligro a todos
By Rachana Pradhan
La decisión de la administración Trump de despedir repentinamente a empleados de los Centros para el Control y Prevención de Enfermedades destruyó los programas de capacitación a lo largo del país
UnitedHealth Wins Ruling Over $2B in Alleged Medicare Advantage Overpayments
By Fred Schulte
A special master found the Justice Department failed to prove wrongdoing by the giant health insurer.
Trump Vowed To End Surprise Medical Bills. The Office Working on That Just Got Slashed.
By Noam N. Levey
The Trump administration’s first round of sweeping staff cuts to federal agencies eliminated dozens of positions at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, which is tasked with implementing the No Surprises Act.
Daily Edition for Tuesday, March 4, 2025
KP, Mental Health Workers Take Step Toward Ending Strike: Officials with Kaiser Permanente have reportedly agreed to mediation in their longstanding negotiation with the National Union of Healthcare Workers. The first session is set for March 10. Read more from Capital & Main.
Daily Edition for Monday, March 3, 2025
Fifth Unvaxxed Teen Dies Of Flu in San Diego County: The 2024-25 flu season grows more deadly in the county’s latest weekly tracking report with 19 additional flu deaths listed, including a fifth teenager. Read more from The San Diego Union-Tribune. Keep scrolling for more flu updates.
Law and Order or Bystander Safety? Police Chases Spotlight California’s Competing Priorities
By Don Thompson
California’s governor is pressuring Oakland to allow more police pursuits as part of a crackdown on crime. But more pursuits mean a greater risk to public health, with more potential injuries and deaths among bystanders. Policies in cities including New York and San Francisco reflect divergent local priorities.
