Latest California Healthline Stories
IOM Calls for FDA To Scale Up Post-Approval Monitoring of Rx Drugs
An Institute of Medicine report recommends that FDA do more to monitor the safety of prescription drugs after they are on the market. According to the report, FDA should take a “life cycle” approach by conducting safety trials both before and after a drug is approved. Reuters et al.
Standard & Poor’s Expresses Concern Over California Budget
Rating agency Standard & Poor’s is raising concerns about the fiscal implications of lower-than-expected April tax revenues and a ruling that the state controller cannot withhold lawmakers’ pay based on budget quality. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
S.F. Employee Unions, Mayor Wrestle Over Benefits, Taxes
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and 27 city public employee unions are locked in contract negotiations that would affect about 21,000 workers. Service Employees International Union Local 1021, San Francisco’s largest union, wants the taxes on businesses to be raised to help keep city workers’ wages and health care benefits at 2011-2012 levels. San Francisco Chronicle.
Income Tax Revenue in April Falls More Than $2B Short of Projections
According to the state controller, revenue from personal income taxes in April was more than $2 billion below Gov. Brown’s expectations. Brown projected that the state would receive $9.13 billion during the month, but new data show that it received $6.74 billion. Bloomberg et al.
Opinion: Tell Gov., Legislature ‘No More Mental Health Cuts’
In a Ventura County Star opinion piece, Ratan Bhavnani — executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness’ Ventura County affiliate — argues that “there is a high cost” to cutting funding for mental health services, noting that the “burdens only get shifted elsewhere.” The Republican state budget plan includes “a $1.3 billion diversion of voter-approved Mental Health Services Act funds to help balance the state budget,” Bhavnani writes. He concludes, “tell the governor and the Legislature: please, no more mental health cuts. It’s time to protect and strengthen mental health care.” Ventura County Star.
Insurance Rate Regulation Ballot Proposal Draws Support
On Monday, Consumer Watchdog reported $1.5 million in contributions, including donations from several high-profile business leaders, for a proposed ballot measure that would give the California Department of Insurance greater regulation of health insurance rates. A group of insurers, hospitals, doctors and business groups who oppose the proposal has reported $367,200 in donations. Los Angeles Times.
Study Highlights Treatment Challenges for Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes progresses more quickly and is harder to treat in children and teenagers than in adults, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The findings could foreshadow a major strain on the U.S. health care system because poorly controlled diabetes significantly increases the risk of costly medical conditions. New York Times et al.
Study Finds Preventable Chronic Ailments Cost CalPERS Millions in 2008
A new study finds that CalPERS could have saved up to $54 million in 2008 if members did not have as many preventable health conditions. Various groups have launched a program aimed at improving public workers’ health. AP/Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”
Bill for New Nursing Home Model Advances in Senate
The Senate Appropriations Committee will consider a bill, by Sen. Elaine Alquist, that would establish a licensing category for a new nursing home model, known as the “Green House Project.” The model focuses on creating smaller, home-like facilities with a maximum of 10 residents. The Senate Health Committee approved the measure last week. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Republicans Divided on Replacement Legislation for Health Reform Law
Republicans have differing views on legislation to replace the federal health reform law, which could make it difficult for the party to unite behind a single plan if the law is overturned. So far, House Republicans have proposed four health reform law replacement plans. Politico et al.