Latest California Healthline Stories
Charlottesville’s High Health Plan Premiums Give Rise To Activism — And Unconventional Solutions
For people who buy their health coverage rather than get it from the government or through work, this Virginia city has claimed the title of having the country’s highest health insurance costs, and its residents are fighting back.
California Hospitals Must Cough Up Millions To Meet Charity Care Rules
The decision by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra signals his agreement with health consumer advocates, who argue that patients are still struggling to pay their medical bills, even when they have insurance.
Federal Appeals Court Puts Chill On Maryland Law To Fight Drug Price-Gouging
The decision in Maryland’s case could slow momentum for other states that are attempting to take action to curb high drug costs.
Congress Urged To Cut Medicare Payments To Many Stand-Alone ERs
As free-standing emergency departments multiply, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission recommends a 30 percent reduction in some federal reimbursements for those within 6 miles of a hospital.
California Insurer Faces Whistleblower Complaint Over Health Law Taxes
The filing against Blue Shield of California focuses on the taxation of certain health plans that are funded by both an employer and insurer. The case could attract more government scrutiny into whether all health insurers are paying their fair share of premium taxes.
Safety Violations Compound Pain Of Painkiller Shortages
California and federal officials have cracked down on a major compounding pharmacy they say posed a threat to public safety, but their actions are worsening shortages of medications that doctors rely on to keep their patients out of pain.
FDA Launches Criminal Investigation Into Unauthorized Herpes Vaccine Research
The Food and Drug Administration rarely prosecutes research violations, but its criminal division is looking into the experimental herpes vaccine research by Southern Illinois University professor William Halford.
Medical Marijuana’s ‘Catch-22’: Federal Limits On Research Hinder Patients’ Relief
Suffering Americans seek medical marijuana as an alternative to opioids and other powerful pharmaceuticals. Though legal in 29 states, some doctors say the lack of strong data makes it hard to recommend. One researcher at the University of California-San Diego plans to use federally grown and controlled marijuana to study the effect of cannabidiol, a compound found in pot, on the neuropathic pain of HIV patients.
How A Drugmaker Turned The Abortion Pill Into A Rare-Disease Profit Machine
An abortion drug invented decades ago is being used to treat Cushing’s syndrome — and it’s bringing in tens of millions of dollars a year.
California Aims To Tackle Health Care Prices In Novel Rate-Setting Proposal
Proponents of the bill say high costs of care are gobbling paychecks and worsening income inequality. Doctors and hospitals say it will drive providers out of state.
