Articles

Anthem-Cigna, Aetna-Humana Mergers, Split Regulators

Last week, the California Department of Managed Health Care approved the merger of Aetna and Humana. The move seemed unlikely after a hearing at which DMHC Director Shelley Rouillard expressed skepticism about how the deal could benefit consumers, noting especially Aetna’s history of serial unreasonable rate hikes ($39 million in excessive rates in just 8 months).

Democrats for Consumers or Big Pharma?

Democrats endorsed several November ballot initiatives at this weekend’s meeting of the Democratic Party, but took no position on a measure that would lower drug prices in California.

CA Bill Still Shelters Doctors Who Fail Drug Tests

Would you want to know if your doctor was in addiction treatment and failed a drug test? Shouldn't he have to tell the hospital he works at? What about the state Medical Board responsible for disciplining physicians who place patients at risk?

California Going Nuclear Free Does Not Mean Going Waste Free

Pacific Gas & Electric’s announcement today that it will shutter Diablo Canyon’s two nuclear reactors by 2025 means nuclear power in California is going the way of the Dodo Bird. But what do we do with the nuclear waste? And what will fill the gap nuclear power leaves behind?

Will Prince's Death Finally Spur Opioid Prescribing Reform?

JUNE 14, 2016 UPDATE: This morning, the Assembly Business and Professions committee voted 16-0 for SB 482 by Senator Lara, to rein in opioid over-prescribing and curb the overdose epidemic.  Prince’s death, and the loss of thousands of Californians every year, has helped spur lawmakers to stand above politics and stand up for reform.

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