Latest California Healthline Stories
New Program Aims To Help Vets Access Health Care, Social Services
The Operation Welcome Home initiative will dispatch outreach teams to counsel newly returned troops on obtaining health benefits, mental health care and other services. The governor announced the new program during his state of the state address. Stockton Record, Oakland Tribune.
California Among States To Settle With Abbott, Fournier
California and 23 other states have reached a $22.5 million settlement with drugmakers Abbott and Fournier over allegations that the companies illegally worked to block generic competition for their cholesterol treatment Tricor. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Governor To Unveil Budget Plan Today, Health Care Cuts Likely
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s forthcoming budget plan is expected to revisit earlier proposals to severely cut funding for Healthy Families and the state’s In-Home Supportive Services program. Optional Medi-Cal benefits also might face the chopping block once again. San Jose Mercury News et al.
H1N1 Vaccine More Widely Available Throughout Calif.
In a conference call Thursday, Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health, said that the state has received about 15 million doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine, meaning that most jurisdictions should have enough vaccine doses to inoculate the general public. Horton urged the public to continue to be vaccinated because a third wave of H1N1 still is possible. Los Angeles Times.
First 5 San Bernardino County Set To Disburse $67.5 Million
The director of San Bernardino County’s First 5 program said the program plans to spend $67.5 million over three years on early childhood health care and education programs. Funds from the grants will be available beginning on July 1. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Report: July Budget Cuts Restricted Health Services, Dental Care
A new Health Access report suggests that about three million Californians lost access to health benefits following a July budget revision package. State officials refuted the report’s estimates on the number of residents who lost dental care. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of January 8, 2010
Unionized workers at Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley approved a new contract, while CMS warned UC-Irvine Medical Center and two hospitals in Riverside County about shortcomings. Meanwhile, John Muir Health announced progress toward its fundraising goal.
Sacramento County Seniors Pitch In on H1N1 Flu Clinics
A number of older Sacramento County residents helped out with the county’s H1N1 flu vaccination clinics, providing a critical staffing boost given the county’s staffing and budget constraints. Sacramento Bee.
House Democrats Keep Up Work on Bargaining Position for Reform Bill
Yesterday, House Democratic leaders met in hopes of shoring up their priorities as they work on merging the House health care reform bill with the Senate’s legislation. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also met with President Obama and said a deal on the overhaul is near. Roll Call et al.
Nursing Careers Remain a Hot Spot for Employment
Even as the recession drove up unemployment numbers, demand for nurses remained high. A representative of the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics said that the field continues to grow and that nursing jobs will be in demand for at least the next decade. NPR’s “Morning Edition.”