Daily Edition for Tuesday, August 15, 2023
Appeals Court Rules Clean-Needle Program Was Illegally Authorized: A privately run clean-needle program in Santa Cruz County, aimed at limiting the spread of HIV and other drug-borne diseases, was illegally authorized in 2020 by state health officials who failed to consult with local law enforcement agencies, a state appeals court ruled Monday. Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle.
Epidemic: Zero Pox!
In the early 1970s, public health workers buoyed by the motto “zero pox!” worked across India to achieve 100% vaccination against smallpox. This episode is about what happened when these zealous young people encountered hesitation.
Feds Say Hospitals That Redistribute Medicaid Money Violate Law
By Samantha Young
Federal officials are trying to clamp down on private arrangements among some hospitals to pay themselves back for the Medicaid taxes they’ve paid. State health officials and the influential hospital industry argue that regulators have no jurisdiction over the agreements.
Daily Edition for Monday, August 14, 2023
Troubled California Hospitals May Be Saved: Three California hospitals that declared bankruptcy earlier this year are hashing out deals that could bring back or save much-needed health care services for their communities. The proposals are far from the finish line, but they present a glimpse of hope for residents who face longer journeys to emergency rooms and increased risk when local medical centers close. Read more from CalMatters.
Patients in California County May See Refunds, Debt Relief From Charity Care Settlement
By Molly Castle Work
As hospitals are criticized for skimping on financial assistance, Santa Clara County has agreed to notify 43,000 former patients of possible billing reductions as part of a settlement. Some patients had sued, alleging the county’s hospital system sent them to collections for bills they shouldn’t have received.
Proposed Rule Would Make Hospital Prices Even More Transparent
By Julie Appleby
A Biden administration proposal would help standardize the data on prices that hospitals provide to patients, increase its usefulness to consumers, and boost enforcement. Previous rules gave hospitals too many loopholes.
Parents See Own Health Spiral as Their Kids’ Mental Illnesses Worsen
By Renuka Rayasam
The day-to-day struggles that parents of kids with mental health conditions must navigate have led to their own crisis: The stress can take a physical toll that disrupts parents’ ability to provide care, say psychologists, researchers, and advocates for families.
Daily Edition for Friday, August 11, 2023
Hunger, covid uptick, health industry layoffs, drug rationing, opioid settlement, record suicides, air quality, and more are in the news.
Your Exorbitant Medical Bill, Brought to You by the Latest Hospital Merger
By Elisabeth Rosenthal
After decades of unchecked mergers, health care is the land of giants, with huge medical systems monopolizing care in many cities, states, and even whole regions of the country. This decreases patient choice, impedes innovation, erodes quality of care, and raises prices. And federal regulators have been slow to act.
