Latest California Healthline Stories
Nurses Under Fire for Dispensing Pain Medications
The Senate Special Committee on Aging on Wednesday will examine whether to change regulations requiring physicians to write prescriptions for pain medication for patients in nursing homes and hospices. The Drug Enforcement Administration has been investigating allegations that nurses have been illegally dispensing prescription medications. Wall Street Journal.
Moore Foundation Awards $500K to California Institute
The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation have awarded a $500,000 grant to the California Institute for Nursing & Health Care to help address the difficulties that many recent nursing school graduates face finding employment. The Institute will use the grant for its RN Transition Program. San Francisco Business Times.
Editorial Praises Passage of Health Reform Legislation
The “sweeping” health care reform legislation passed by the House and signed into law by President Obama “promises to make America a more just and healthier society,” according to a Merced Sun-Star editorial. It adds, “Its significance is on par with Social Security and The Civil Rights Act.” The editorial urges the Senate to “quickly pass the companion ‘fix-it’ bill before the special interest and protectors of the status quo try to muck up the deal.” Merced Sun-Star.
Proposed State Budget Cuts AIDS Drugs in County Jails
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget includes $87.5 million for the California’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program, but the proposal shifts the cost of providing medications for HIV-positive people in county jails. Patient advocates say the proposal raises new concerns about treatment continuity for at-risk populations. Oakland Tribune.
Calif. GOP Candidates Making Health Care Reform a Campaign Issue
California Republicans seeking to unseat Democrats in this year’s upcoming election have been quick to attack the national health care reform package. Many of the candidates say they will seek repeals or changes to the legislation if they are elected. Contra Costa Times et al.
Stanford’s Adjunct Clinical Faculty Subject to Ethics Rule
More than 600 community physicians who volunteer as adjunct clinical faculty at the Stanford University School of Medicine are now prohibited from accepting pharmaceutical industry gifts or participating in speakers’ bureaus. Stanford’s ethics policy, created in 2006, previously only affected full-time faculty and is one of the most comprehensive policies on academia-medical industry relations in the U.S. New York Times, et al.
States, GOP Plan To Challenge to Health Care Reform Legislation
Many states are planning to challenge the federal government’s authority on health insurance, but constitutional scholars expressed doubts that their efforts would be successful. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers say they plan to introduce a bill to repeal the health reform plan. Washington Post et al.
Most Health Care Stocks Rose Slightly After Reform Passed
Most major health care companies’ stock was up Monday after the House approved health reform legislation Sunday night, though shares of some large insurers, such as Anthem Blue Cross’ parent company WellPoint, were down. Many health care companies’ shares have rebounded recently, which analysts say shows that investors do not fear the changes expected from reform. Los Angeles Times.
Editorial: Reject Proposed Cuts to Adult Day Health Services
A Sacramento Bee editorial urges lawmakers to reject Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed cuts to adult day health care services. The editorial states, “Cutting adult day care would be a false savings. The [Legislative Analyst’s Office] has said as much, noting the proposal ‘does not adequately account for general fund cost shifts that could result from the proposed elimination of this benefit.'” Sacramento Bee.
Health Reform Would Expand Long-Term Care Coverage
The reform bill that the House approved Sunday would institute a number of changes to long-term care, such as improving consumer information on staffing levels, sanctions against facilities and inspection reports. The bill also would help improve staff training and expand insurance coverage for long-term care options other than nursing homes. United Press International.