State Highlights: Calif. Advances Plan To Curb New Cases Of HIV; Minneapolis Clinic Recognized For Senior Dental Care

Sacramento Bee: California Health Department Lays Out New Plan To Fight HIV 
The California Department of Public Health rolled out a hefty HIV plan Wednesday with the aim of stopping new cases of the chronic illness statewide. The plan is a collaboration between the department and local health jurisdictions, including the Sacramento County Department of Public Health. “Getting to zero,” according to the plan, means reaching zero new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths along with no stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. About 5,000 new HIV diagnoses are made in the state each year. By 2021, the department hopes to reduce the number of new cases to fewer than 2,500 a year. (Caiola, 11/2)

Pioneer Press: Minneapolis Clinic Gets Award For Senior Dental Care Using UMN Students 
Walker Methodist Health Center’s dental clinic received a national award this week for its innovative way of providing dental care for seniors. The Minneapolis clinic is staffed by University of Minnesota dental students, a model recognized with an innovation award from LeadingEdge, a national association of senior housing and health care organizations. Dental care for the elderly is a growing need, said Stephen Shuman, associate professor and director of the geriatrics program at the university’s School of Dentistry. The clinic provides hygiene and dentistry students with geriatric experience, treating about 1,500 active patients. the elderly come with unique problems: Many seniors are no longer able to floss or brush properly and their care is often complicated by illness, such as diabetes and dementia, said Shuman. (Beckstrom, 11/2)

The Associated Press: Fall 2017 Trial For Alleged Leader In $1B Health Care Fraud
A fall 2017 trial date is set for a South Florida businessman accused of orchestrating a $1 billion Medicare and Medicaid fraud scheme. Court records show a Miami federal judge on Wednesday scheduled 48-year-old Philip Esformes’ trial for Sept. 18. Esformes, who has pleaded not guilty, faces a potential life prison sentence if convicted of multiple fraud, conspiracy and other charges. (11/3)

California Healthline: New Data: Surprising Number Of California Parents Experienced Abuse As Children
One out of five California adults with children living in their homes were beaten, kicked or physically abused when they were children, and one in ten were sexually abused, according to data released recently by a children’s health foundation. Experts believe that’s an undercount. (Wiener, 11/3)

The Philadelphia Inquirer/Philly.com: Genesis Healthcare's Biggest Landlord Sells 92 Nursing Homes For $1.7B
Genesis Healthcare Inc., a Kennett Square company that is the nation's largest operator of nursing homes, said Wednesday it expects to save $10.5 million, or 5 percent, on its annual rent under two deals by its largest landlord to sell 92 of the more than 500 nursing homes Genesis operates for $1.7 billion. Welltower Inc., based in Toledo, Ohio, will continue to be Genesis's largest landlord, with 114 nursing facilities. A previous owner of Genesis sold its real estate as way to generate stronger returns for investors, but Genesis has struggled under heavy rent payments and has been buying back some of the properties. (Brubaker, 11/2)

Boston Globe: Civil Rights Group Wants Independent Investigation Into Police Shooting Of Mentally Ill Man 
The mentally ill man who was fatally shot by Boston police officers Sunday had threatened two emergency medical technicians with a steak knife while ranting nonsensically before officers opened fire, according to the head of Boston’s emergency medical services. The account, which he provided to the Globe on Wednesday, bolsters the police department’s assertions that the technicians and officers who had come to the South End apartment in response to a 911 call feared for their lives. (Ransom, 11/2)

Kansas Health Institute: KU Scientist’s Work On Antibiotic Resistance Wins Inventor Award
A University of Kansas scientist has been named one of the first recipients of an $825,000 fellowship for her work in developing a protein designed to thwart antibiotic resistance. Joanna Slusky, 37, who heads the Slusky Lab at KU and specializes in outer membrane proteins, is one of five inventors nationwide recognized by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation in Palo Alto, California. The foundation, established by the co-founder of Intel Corp. and his wife, anticipates awarding a total of $33.75 million to support 50 promising inventors over the next 10 years, according to its website. Slusky is part of the first cohort announced Wednesday. (Margolies, 11/2)