Latest California Healthline Stories
California Reforms Target Workers’ Compensation Fraud
Two new laws will prohibit felons from billing for workers’ comp and rein in unsanctioned treatment.
Hospitals Say They’re Being Slammed By Drug Price Hikes
In a report out tuesday, hospital groups said drug prices have skyrocketed since 2013, triggering a huge increase in what hospitals spend on pharmaceuticals.
Young Boy’s Struggle To Survive Sparked Push For Drugs For Terminally Ill
Ten-year-old Josh Hardy died last month. His struggle to survive helped to spur laws to get unapproved drugs to the terminally ill.
The Ads Say ‘Get Your Flu Shot Today,’ But It May Be Wiser To Wait
The flu vaccine is available for longer windows of time. Experts say to weigh convenience and science in deciding when to roll up your sleeve.
A Golden Ticket That Fast-Tracks A Drug Through The FDA
A voucher awarded to companies that find treatments for rare childhood diseases can be sold to the highest bidder — and then used to speed up approvals for much more common drugs.
When Drug Reviewers Leave The FDA, They Often Work For Pharma
Researchers examine the Food and Drug Administration’s “revolving door” regarding employees who worked on cancer and hematology drugs.
Health Law Expanded Coverage For Ex-Inmates, But Gaps Remain
The health law’s Medicaid expansion and its requirement that employer medical plans cover dependents up to age 26 had a significant impact on coverage for this population. The portion of young adult ex-inmates without insurance fell from 40 percent to 32 percent.
Insurers May Insist On Counseling Before Genetic Tests For Breast Cancer
Doctors are concerned that requiring referrals to genetic counselors can deter women from going forward with testing for genetic mutations that cause breast cancer.
Study Says Concerns About Orphan Drug Spending Are Unjustified
A study in Health Affairs concludes that orphan drugs for rare diseases are not having a widespread or deep impact on health care spending.
California Nursing Board Works To Whittle Down Licensing Backlog
The new director of the agency has ramped up efforts to break the logjam, and he says they are bearing fruit.