The Paris Hilton Cali Bill

Paris Hilton, a well-known hotel heiress and celebrity, is supporting California lawmakers' efforts to increase transparency in residential teen therapeutic centers. These centers would be required to report their use of restraints or seclusion rooms when disciplining minors.

Testifying before the Senate Human Services Committee in Sacramento, Hilton stressed the importance of transparency in such facilities, stating that children should not be placed in them without knowing what they will endure. She emphasized the Accountability in Children's Treatment Act as a vital measure for revealing what truly happens behind closed doors.

Having become a vocal advocate for reform in the troubled teen industry, Hilton shared her own experiences of abuse at Provo Canyon School in Utah in a 2020 documentary. Her advocacy led to the passage of legislation in Utah and other states aimed at strengthening oversight of these programs.

Now, Hilton is turning her attention to California, where Senate Bill 1043, sponsored by both Republican and Democratic senators, aims to protect young people in residential therapeutic programs by requiring transparency regarding restraint and seclusion room use. The bill received unanimous support from the Senate Human Services Committee and will now advance to the Appropriations Committee for consideration.

In this week’s email:

• Colorado Sees a Surge in Syphilis Cases.

• The Revolution of Bone Marrow Transplants

• World Liver Day, 2024

• Doctors Advocate for Expanded Syphilis Testing

• Report Finds Surge in Bankruptcies Among PE Backed Healthcare Firms

  Another wave of private equity-backed bankruptcies is expected this year, according to the Private Equity Stakeholder Project.

Colorado Sees a Surge in Syphilis Cases

A surge in syphilis cases in Colorado has prompted a statewide public health order, with a particular focus on addressing the disease among pregnant women and infants.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D) announced on Thursday that the state would be implementing additional measures to combat congenital syphilis, which has seen a significant increase over recent years. The primary objective of the initiative is to ensure that pregnant women and their infants receive proper testing and treatment, Governor Polis emphasized during the announcement. 

"While syphilis is a treatable disease for adults, the real danger lies in the risk it poses to newborns," Governor Polis stated. "The fatality rate is significant for newborns born to mothers with syphilis." 

According to state data, sourced from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 40 percent of infants with untreated congenital syphilis may be stillborn or die from the infection. Governor Polis highlighted that the state has witnessed a sevenfold increase in infections over the past five years, with 1,084 cases reported in 2018 and 3,266 cases reported in 2023. 

State Epidemiologist Rachel Herlihy described the consistent rise in cases statewide as indicative of a congenital syphilis epidemic. The state will collaborate with various departments, including Corrections, Public Health and Environment, and Public Safety, to minimize cases in correctional facilities. 

Additionally, Colorado will ensure that syphilis testing is covered without co-pays for the majority of insured individuals, including those with Medicaid. Education efforts will also be intensified to raise awareness about the importance of syphilis testing and treatment, as individuals can have the disease without exhibiting symptoms.

The Revolution of Bone Marrow Transplants

Despite finding a match in Poland, the donor became unavailable. However, a breakthrough drug, cyclophosphamide, broadened donor options. Arias joined a trial, multiplying his matches from one to over 200, marking a shift in transplant dynamics. Initially developed for chemotherapy in the 1950s, cyclophosphamide was repurposed to prevent graft-versus-host disease, significantly improving transplant outcomes.

By allowing mismatches and half-matched family donations, the drug revolutionized transplants, especially for patients with limited donor options, like those of mixed ancestry. Clinical trials expanded possibilities, like Amelia Johnson's successful transplant from a mismatched unrelated donor. The drug's efficacy has made transplants routine, offering hope and saving lives, as in Arias's case, highlighting the enduring impact of medical innovation.

World Liver Day, 2024

World Liver Day, observed annually on April 19th, aims to raise global awareness about liver health and diseases. This vital organ plays a crucial role in metabolism, immunity, and toxin filtration. Despite its remarkable regenerative capacity, liver abnormalities can lead to severe health consequences. 

The statistics surrounding liver diseases are alarming, with 2 million annual deaths globally, primarily from liver cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, and liver cancer. Lifestyle factors like alcohol consumption, obesity, and diabetes significantly contribute to liver diseases. World Liver Day empowers individuals through education, emphasizing the importance of regular check-ups and prevention strategies. 

Established in 2010 by the European Association for the Study of the Liver, World Liver Day has become a catalyst for global action against liver diseases. Simple lifestyle changes, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and avoiding harmful habits, can help safeguard liver health. Together, let's raise awareness, promote early detection, and strive for a future free from the burden of liver diseases.

Doctors Advocate for Expanded Syphilis Testing

A group of doctors is raising concerns about the necessity of expanded syphilis testing for pregnant individuals, given the recent increase in cases of the sexually transmitted infection among newborns in the United States. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released new recommendations on Thursday, advising doctors to screen pregnant individuals for syphilis three times during pregnancy.

According to the updated guidance, obstetricians, gynecologists, and other obstetric care providers should conduct syphilis screenings at the first prenatal visit, during the third trimester, and again at delivery. Previously, testing was primarily recommended in the third trimester for those residing in communities with high syphilis rates or those at risk of contracting the infection during pregnancy.

Christopher Zahn, an ACOG fellow, emphasized the critical role of timely diagnosis and treatment in reducing syphilis rates, noting that the majority of cases are preventable.

Syphilis, a bacterial infection transmitted sexually or from a pregnant person to a fetus, has seen a significant rise in congenital cases, with over 3,700 babies born with congenital syphilis in 2022—the highest in over three decades, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last year.

The doctors' advisory highlighted the CDC's findings that nearly 90% of congenital syphilis cases could have been prevented with prompt screening and treatment. Transmission of syphilis to a fetus can result in low birth weight, premature birth, stillbirth, or miscarriage, according to the CDC.

While newborns may not initially display symptoms, untreated cases can lead to various health issues, including cataracts, deafness, seizures, or death within weeks. Benzathine penicillin G is the preferred treatment for syphilis during pregnancy. However, the drug has faced shortages since last year, with Pfizer, the sole manufacturer, projecting an increase in production by at least the second quarter of 2024 to alleviate the shortage. 

Report Finds Surge in Bankruptcies Among PE Backed Healthcare Firms

A recent report from the Private Equity Stakeholder Project highlights that over 20% of healthcare companies filing for bankruptcy in 2023 were owned by private equity firms. The nonprofit predicts another wave of such bankruptcies this year, citing the majority of high-risk U.S. healthcare companies being backed by private equity.

Eileen O'Grady, healthcare director at the PESP, attributes these bankruptcies to private equity firms' aggressive debt-funded growth strategies. Restructuring firm Gibbins Advisors notes a five-year peak in healthcare bankruptcies in 2023, leading to care disruptions, facility closures, and layoffs.

While rising labor costs and strained payer-provider relations are contributing factors, PESP argues that debt tactics employed by private equity firms exacerbate the situation. These firms often burden acquired companies with significant debt, making them susceptible to market fluctuations.

Private equity-backed healthcare companies carry higher debt loads compared to publicly traded counterparts, posing greater financial risks. Moody's Ratings reported that almost all of the 45 most distressed healthcare companies were owned by private equity firms as of November.

Some private equity firms have faced criticism for repeatedly acquiring distressed companies and burdening them with unmanageable debt, leading to bankruptcy. Senators and federal agencies have initiated inquiries into the role of private equity in healthcare to better understand its impact on companies and patients.

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