Gov. Newsom unveils plan to make $30 insulin
In a news conference Saturday, Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a plan for the state to begin making its own insulin. The governor signed a 50 million dollar contract with the nonprofit drugmaker “CIVICA."
Biden to put issue of lowering drug costs at center of political agenda
Biden plans to talk up how his administration is rolling out several parts of a law passed last year that cap the price of insulin and allow the government to negotiate deals on pharmaceutical drugs for Medicare enrollees.
Biden proposes new taxes on the rich to help fund Medicare
In his plan, Biden is overtly declaring that the wealthy ought to shoulder a heavier tax burden.
Drugmaker Eli Lilly says it's cutting insulin prices by 70%
The drugmaker says it will cap monthly out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 for people who are not covered by Medicare’s prescription drug program.
Eye ointment used for dry eyes recalled over risk of infection, blindness
Global Pharma Healthcare previously recalled over-the-counter eye drops linked to an outbreak of drug-resistant infections and recently expanded it to include the eye ointment cream.
FDA approves combination flu-COVID test for home use
This is the first home test for the flu.
7-year-old gives gift of life to teen brother battling leukemia
Fittingly, the extraordinary act of love happened on Feb. 14 — Valentine’s Day and National Donor Day.
Male contraception showed promise in study
An experimental drug that temporarily stops sperm in their tracks could be a “game-changer” for contraception, a new study found.
Hayward Unified schools staff rally for affordable health care plans
SEIU Local 1021 and the Assoc. of Educational Office and Technical Employees have partnered to negotiate benefits with the district. The group says the average yearly salary for members is about $48,000 but most private healthcare plans start at around $10,000 per year.
New vibrating, drug-free pill may help chronic constipation
A first-of-its-kind, drug-free pill designed to “gently” vibrate in the colon may help squeeze food through the gut of chronically constipated people.
California health program successfully cut hospital visits
A five-year experiment aimed at improving care for some of California’s most at-risk Medicaid patients — including homeless people and people with severe drug addictions — resulted in fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits that saved taxpayers an estimated $383 per patient per year, according to a review released Wednesday.
High school sports group rethinks menstrual cycle questions
Facing blowback, the director of Florida’s high school sports governing body is backing away from using an eligibility form that requires female athletes to disclose their menstrual history in order to compete.
‘Intensive’ blood pressure treatment could reduce dementia risk: study
The study found that intensive blood pressure treatment may help to clear toxins and other byproducts from the brain.
Proposed Massachusetts bill would reduce inmate sentences if they donate organs
If passed, eligible individuals who are behind bars in Massachusetts could receive 60 days to one year off of their sentences in exchange for donating organs or bone marrow.
California prison inmates to get some Medicaid care
The federal government will allow Medicaid dollars to treat some people in prisons, jails or juvenile detention centers for the first time ever, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Thursday.
Dueling abortion rights protests held in San Francisco
Civic Center Plaza in San Francisco was taken over by thousands of anti-abortion protesters on Saturday afternoon for this year's March for Life. It marked the first time the annual event has been held since the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June.
Liver transplant saves Oakland woman's life, giving her reason to advocate for more organ donations
Goldie Williams was given just weeks to live and underwent an emergency liver transplant. She is already raising awareness about organ donations, which are desperately needed.
US home births in 2021 rose to highest level in decades, CDC report says
Among almost 4 million U.S. births in 2021, nearly 52,000 occurred at home — an increase of about 12% from the previous year, the CDC said.
Stanford pediatrician handling spike in RSV cases
The respiratory virus RSV is keeping doctors busy and beds full at Bay Area children’s hospitals.
Blood pressure medication recalled due to chemicals' possible link to cancer
The FDA-recalled quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide tablets were shipped to customers nationwide in May 2021.