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Latest California Healthline Stories

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ The Politics Of Rising Premiums And Menu Labeling

In this episode of KHN’s “What the Health?” Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Stephanie Armour of The Wall Street Journal, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Anna Edney of Bloomberg News discuss the latest on the politics of rising premiums, GOP efforts to take back money from the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the controversy over new rules requiring calorie information on menus. Plus for extra credit, the panelists recommend their favorite health stories of the week.

First, Marijuana. Are Magic Mushrooms Next?

Advocates in Oregon and Denver are pushing ballot measures to allow possession of mushrooms containing the hallucinogenic ingredient psilocybin, as new research shows it may be useful in treating depression and anxiety. Supporters of a measure to decriminalize magic mushrooms in California ended their effort late last month.

Podcast: KHN’s ‘What The Health?’ Medicaid, Privacy And Tom Price’s Return

Julie Rovner of Kaiser Health News, Joanne Kenen of Politico, Margot Sanger-Katz of The New York Times and Alice Ollstein of Talking Points Memo discuss the latest on states’ efforts to reshape their Medicaid programs, the kerfuffle over President Donald Trump’s medical records and comments by former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price about Congress’ repeal of the Affordable Care Act’s “individual mandate” penalty. Rovner also interviews Harvard professor Robert Blendon about the complex politics of health in the coming midterm elections.

Boom in Proton Therapy Is A Bust For Some. Blame A Shortage of Patients.

Hospitals and private investors have pumped vast sums of money into an advanced type of radiology that mostly spares healthy tissue while attacking tumors. The spending hasn’t always paid off — leading some facilities to close or, as in the case of a San Diego center last year, file for bankruptcy.