Latest California Healthline Stories
Poll: 55% of U.S. Residents ‘Confused’ About Reform Law
Fifty-five percent of U.S. residents say they are “confused” about the new health reform law and 56% say they do not have enough information to decide how the law will affect them, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll released on Thursday. The poll, which surveyed 1,208 U.S. adults in mid-April, found that 45% of respondents said they are “pleased” with the law, 45% said they are “disappointed,” 42% said they are “anxious” and 40% said they are “relieved.” Thirty percent labeled their reaction to the new reform law as “angry.” Politico, CQ HealthBeat.
State Supreme Court Will Not Determine Furlough Legality
The State Supreme Court declined to determine the legality of furloughs of state workers ordered by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to help close the state’s budget gap. Several lower court judges have upheld the governor’s authority, though one judge said the furloughs violated state law. Schwarzenegger officials had wanted the state Supreme Court to decide seven remaining appellate court cases and freeze 20 trial court cases because they raised the same issues. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee.
Pharmacy Board Backs Smaller Type Size Increase
The California Pharmacy Board on Thursday voted 5-4 to use 10-point type size on prescription drug labels and to offer 12-point type if a customer requests it. The vote follows a contentious debate over the font size, with consumers and advocates arguing for the 12-point type and chain drug stores saying larger type would require larger bottles. Contra Costa Times, Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
Assembly OKs Bill That Would Allow Dispensing of Syringes
The Assembly has approved a bill by Assembly member Wesley Chesbro that would make the Disease Prevention Demonstration Project a permanent program. The initiative aims to curb the spread of HIV, hepatitis and other diseases by allowing participating pharmacies to sell up to 10 syringes to an adult without a prescription. A 2004 bill established a pilot version of the program, which is set to expire at the end of 2010. Eureka Times Standard.
Kaiser Permanente Doles Out $1.1M in Community Grants
Forty Sacramento-area groups working to expand health care access and reduce community violence will share $1.1 million in grants from Kaiser Permanente. Grantees include the NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center, which received $20,000 to launch a farmer’s market. Sacramento Bee.
Poizner Warns Californians About Bogus Insurance Sales
Although California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner recently issued a warning to alert consumers to door-to-door sales of bogus insurance, there have not yet been any such scams reported to the Department of Insurance. DOI spokesperson Darrel Ng said the National Association of Insurance Commissioners had told the department about the possibility of such scams, particularly in light of the new health reform law, which led to Poizner’s warning. Payers & Providers.
FDA Updates Conflict-of-Interest Guidelines for Advisory Panel Members
The guidelines require FDA to publicly disclose conflict-of-interest waivers and related information. Meanwhile, the Council of Medical Specialty Societies has released a new ethics code that aims to limit drugmakers’ influence on patient care. CQ HealthBeat, AP/Miami Herald.
Governor Backs Bill To Cut Pension Benefits for New Public Employees
Yesterday, Gov. Schwarzenegger endorsed legislation that would reduce state contributions to newly hired public workers’ retiree health benefits and require new hires to serve for 25 years before becoming fully vested in their retiree health plans. AP/San Jose Mercury News et al.
Calif. Pharmacy Board To Vote on New Standards for Medication Labeling
Today, the Board of Pharmacy is expected to vote on whether to set a minimum type size for drug labels and require pharmacies to provide oral interpretation for non-English speakers. The measure is scaled back from earlier proposals. San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News.
HHS Not Seeking Extra Funding To Implement New Health Reform Law
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the Obama administration will not seek additional funds to implement the new health reform law beyond HHS’ $911 billion fiscal year 2011 budget request. The health reform law includes $1 billion for HHS to implement the law. Reuters et al.