LA County health plan fined $55M for health care failures
L.A. Care, the nation’s largest publicly operated health plan, was fined $55 million for failing to authorize care for thousands of at-risk members, causing health-threatening treatment delays, California regulators announced Friday.
Nurses protest California ruling allowing COVID-positive nurses to work
Nurses at seven Southern California hospitals are protesting Thursday demanding safer working conditions, and speaking out against guidance from the state that would allow COVID-positive employees to return to work immediately if they're asymptomatic.
Biden to send COVID-19 medical teams to 6 states struggling with omicron surge
President Joe Biden is set to announce that additional military medical teams will be deployed to six states struggling with COVID-19 infections.
Healthcare regardless of immigration status included in Newsom's budget proposal
California would be the first state to provide health coverage to all immigrants in the country illegally under the budget Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed Monday.
COVID vaccine mandate: Supreme Court weighs rules for businesses, health care
The Supreme Court is hearing arguments about the vaccine-or-testing requirement for large employers and a separate mandate for health care workers.
Paramedics allegedly refused to enter care facility to help man who wasn't breathing
Rialto paramedics are being investigated for allegedly refusing to enter a care facility to help a man who wasn't breathing. The paramedics cited a state coronavirus guideline that doesn't seem to be in effect.
'Pharma Bro' company reaches $40M settlement in price-gouging case
Vyera Pharmaceuticals, once owned by “Pharma Bro" Martin Shkreli, will pay $40 million to settle allegations it increased the price of a life-saving medication by 4,000%.
Biden: Prescription drugs ‘outrageously expensive’ in US, calls on Senate to act
President Joe Biden pushed his “Build Back Better” agenda, focusing on how provisions of the spending bill would lower the cost of prescription drugs for many.
Ban on 'surprise' medical bills on track to take effect Jan. 1, 2022
The ban “surprise” medical bills, charges that hit insured patients at some of life’s most vulnerable moments, is on track to take effect on Jan. 1.
AB-369: California considering paying doctors to give street medicine to homeless
The Senator who introduced the bill said it would reimburse doctors for going out into the streets and helping the patients.
California expands health care coverage to those 50 and older, including for undocumented
With a Central Valley health clinic as his backdrop, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed a bill into law that will now give health care coverage for low-income people age 50 and older, including those who are living in the country without the proper documentation.
Panda Express pledges $5 million to CHOC Children's Hospital
Panda Express has pledged $5 million to Children's Health Orange County as part of a philanthropic initiative to support children's hospitals' programs and services.
Walmart insulin: Low-cost, private brand launched for diabetes patients
Walmart unveiled a low-cost version of analog insulin that it will sell in an effort to help Americans who struggle to pay for the diabetes drug.
Medicaid enrollment reaches record high during COVID-19 pandemic
A record 80.5 million Americans were enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP by January 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, government data shows.
Mom, daughter continue legacy of health care profession
For four generations, a South Bay family continues to dedicate themselves to health care. All despite losing the family matriarch, a lifelong nurse, to COVID-19. Both Marisyn and Daneen said grandma was their biggest inspiration to pursue the careers they chose.
Covered California low-cost healthcare opens special enrollment
More than three million people in California are now eligible for low-cost health insurance through the state's Covered California program. Starting Monday, the program will open a special enrollment thansk to the recently signed American Rescue Act.
Biden opens sign-up window for health coverage to uninsured amid COVID-19 pandemic
President Joe Biden signed an executive order to reopen the HealthCare.gov insurance markets for a special sign-up opportunity geared to people needing coverage in the coronavirus pandemic.
Non-frontline workers getting vaccines before health care workers in SoCal
A local health care worker is frustrated after she claims non-frontline workers got the COVID-19 vaccine at Southern California Hospital in Culver City while she was denied three times.
US hospitals forced to put COVID-19 sick in parking garages, hallways — and they’re running out of nurses
A surge in infections linked to Thanksgiving has led to many hospitals running out of room to treat the severest COVID-19 cases, and medical facilities are facing a serious staffing shortage on top of everything else.
Trump administration issues regulations aimed at lowering prescription drug prices
The Trump administration has issued regulations that could lower prescription drug prices. It’s unclear whether the rules will withstand expected legal challenges or what the Biden administration will do with them.