Latest Morning Briefing Stories
GOP Health Proposal Would Upend Consumers’ Cost Calculations In California
Decently paid millennials in LA might be better off than under Obamacare — but older people in pricier areas could fare much worse.
Los Angeles County Finds E-Success In Managing Specialist Care
An electronic consulting and referral system adopted by the county’s safety-net public health system in 2012 has reduced waiting times for appointments with specialists and eliminated the need for such appointments in a significant number of cases, according to a new study in the journal Health Affairs.
Are Virtual Doctor Visits Really Cost-Effective? Not So Much, Study Says
Rand Corp. finds that telehealth encourages patients to seek care for minor illnesses they wouldn’t bother to make an office visit for, raising overall health costs.
‘Right-To-Try’ Laws Expose Dying Patients To Exploitation, Ethicists Warn
More than 30 states have laws on the books to allow dying patients the right-to-try experimental treatments. But these treatments may not be covered by insurance, and ethicists worry vulnerable people could be exploited near the end of their lives. The laws may also duplicate a process the FDA already has in place.
California Medical Board President Faces Questions Over Vote In Sexual Misconduct Case
After the medical board reinstated the license of doctor who molested patients, one member — now president — secured a $40 million donation for a pet project from the doctor’s relative. He says the two events are unrelated. Critics are demanding an investigation.
Faring Better Than Many ACA Insurers, Calif.-based Molina Backs Health Law ‘Tuneup’
The health insurance company, which operates in 12 states plus Puerto Rico, grew out of a network of Southern California clinics founded in 1980. Despite lower-than-expected profits in 2016, Molina’s track record of working with low-income patients has generally served it well under Obamacare.
State Fires Contractor After Problems Put California HIV Patients At Risk
The company tasked with enrolling eligible patients in an HIV assistance program failed to keep an online enrollment portal working effectively and violated other contract terms, the public health agency said.
Syphilis Among California Newborns Spikes Amid Broader STD Epidemic
Kern and Fresno counties, in the Central Valley, have the highest rates of congenital syphilis. Health officials think the surge is due to lack of prenatal care, drug use, risky sex and lack of awareness.
California Cancer Rates Dropped During The Recession. That’s Not Necessarily A Good Thing.
Researchers believe Californians, many of whom lost health coverage, delayed doctor visits that could have led to earlier detection. Now, with people seeking medical care under the Affordable Care Act, some experts expect to see an increase in late-stage cancers.
LA County Health Chief Wants To ‘Catch’ People Dropped From Coverage
Mitch Katz, director of the L.A. County Health Agency, says California must find ways to cover state residents who might lose their health coverage if Obamacare is repealed.