Latest California Healthline Stories
Near Incineration Of Psychiatric Hospital Highlights Gaping Need For More Beds
Fire almost destroyed one of two acute care facilities in Ventura County — wiping out most of the region’s inpatient capacity. In California and nationally, such hospitals are strained by demand — and disasters.
Pharmacists Slow To Dispense Lifesaving Overdose Drug
Laws in California and most other states allow pharmacists to provide naloxone to patients or their friends without a doctor’s prescription. But many don’t do so, citing lack of demand and awareness among patients, their own fears of insufficient compensation and the challenges of treating opioid users.
Frail Patients Losing Access To Dental House Calls
Dental hygienists who treat frail and elderly residents in nursing homes and other facilities are dropping out of California’s publicly funded dental program for the poor because of recent changes that cut their pay and create more administrative hurdles.
When Nursing Homes Push Out Poor And Disabled Patients
Complaints are rising in California and other states about improper evictions and discharges. Advocates say some patients end up in cheap hotels, homeless or back in the hospital.
Oh, That Deadline? Doesn’t Apply To California
Consumers in the 39 states served by the federally-run health insurance exchange face a Friday deadline to sign up for Affordable Care Act health plans, but Californians have until Jan. 31 to enroll.
Pharmacy Costs Continue To Soar For California’s Public Employee Health System
The increase has been largely driven by the cost of specialty drugs. The agency, which provides health coverage for 1.4 million people, will address cost containment at a meeting Tuesday and at a panel discussion in January.
An Overlooked Epidemic: Older Americans Taking Too Many Unneeded Drugs
Researchers estimate that 25 percent of people ages 65 to 69 take at least five prescription drugs to treat chronic conditions. But some doctors are trying to teach others about “deprescribing” or systematically discontinuing medicines that are inappropriate, duplicative or unnecessary.
‘Rock Star’ Navigator On Mission To Clear Health Insurance Hurdles For Vietnamese
In Texas, the uninsured rate among Vietnamese residents is nearly double the national rate of 7.7 percent. By comparison, California’s rate is far lower, at 4.2 percent.
With CHIP In Limbo, Here Are 5 Takeaways On The Congressional Impasse
The sticking point is not whether to keep the popular Children’s Health Insurance Program running but how best to raise the cash. California, which leads the nation in CHIP enrollment, will run out of money within weeks.
Treating The New Hep C Generation On Their Turf
One Northern California physician is a foot soldier in the fight against a surge of hepatitis C, mainly among young drug users who share infected needles.