Latest California Healthline Stories
Lawmakers Questioning Scope of FDA Authority After Drug Safety Issues
A recent recall of children’s medications by a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary has prompted lawmakers to question whether FDA has sufficient authority to respond to drug safety issues. Legislators also are calling for more FDA authority over herbal supplements. CQ Today, New York Times.
California Doctors, Others Indicted for Medicare Fraud
On May 20, a federal grand jury indicted five doctors and six other individuals in California with conspiracy to commit health care fraud. The 20-count indictment alleges that from February 2006 through August 2008, the 11 defendants submitted more than $5 million in fraudulent Medicare claims from health care clinics in Sacramento, Richmond and Carmichael. Sacramento Business Journal, Modern Healthcare.
Audit: Mammogram Program Overreported Screening Data
In fiscal year 2009, California’s Every Woman Counts mammogram program completed about 130,000 fewer screenings than the Department of Public Health reported, according to a new investigation from the Office of State Audits and Evaluations. The program has come under scrutiny recently over the impact of a new enrollment freeze. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Brown Sues Monterey County AIDS Project Over Misuse of Funds
On Monday, Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a lawsuit against the Monterey County AIDS Project claiming that the group had diverted funds designated for housing to pay for personal expenses, salaries and other expenditures. Salinas Californian, Monterey County Herald.
Senate Democrats Offer Tax Plan Designed To Avert Safety Net Cuts
Yesterday, Democratic state lawmakers proposed suspending corporate tax breaks and extending tax increases to avert Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposed cuts to Medi-Cal, Healthy Families, In-Home Supportive Services and other programs. Sacramento Bee et al.
Editorial Stumps for Measure To Rein in Pension System
A Sacramento Bee editorial argues that SB 919, by Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth and sponsored by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, “rightly seeks to rein in the state’s bloated public employee pension system.” Although it acknowledges that the measure is unlikely to be approved, the editorial states, “If California is ever to emerge from its budget crisis, something must be done to lower pension costs.” Sacramento Bee.
HHS Asks Virginia Judge To Dismiss State Lawsuit Challenging Reform Law
Yesterday, attorneys representing HHS asked a federal judge in Virginia to dismiss a state lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the new health reform law. The suit argued that the legislation exceeds Congress’ power to regulate interstate commerce. Washington Post et al.
Study: Millions of Kids Enrolled in Medicaid Miss Health Screenings
A study from HHS’ Office of the Inspector General finds that 76% of children enrolled in Medicaid in nine states did not receive one or more recommended health screenings in 2007. The study calls for CMS to work with states to boost physician participation in Medicaid. AP/Baltimore Sun.
Dispute Over Patent Halts Stem Cell Research at Hospital
Children’s Hospital of Orange County has halted stem cell research over a patent claim by StemCells, a Palo Alto biotech company. The San Jose Mercury News notes that the dispute “illustrates how the commercialization of stem-cell science is creating roadblocks in this red-hot field.” San Jose Mercury News.
L.A. Council Committee OKs 37% Hike in Ambulance Fees
On Monday, the Los Angeles City Council’s Public Safety Committee approved a proposal to raise ambulance fees by 37% in an effort to address the city’s budget deficit. Beginning July 1, transportation fees for basic life support ambulances would increase from $712 to $974 and fees for advanced life support ambulances would increase from $1,004 to $1,373. Los Angeles Times, KPCC’s “KPCC News.”