Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Sheriffs Back Database of Cold Medicine Purchases
Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca and other county sheriffs are speaking out in favor of a proposal to create a state database that would track purchases of cold medicines that contain pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in methamphetamine. Assembly member Jerry Hill is revising the legislation to address concerns from civil liberties groups. Los Angeles Times.
Kaiser, Clinics Throw Lifeline to Healthy Kids Effort in Sonoma County
Kaiser Permanente and the Redwood Community Health Coalition will take over administration of Sonoma County’s Healthy Kids program beginning in early 2010. The program provides health care services to kids under age 18 who aren’t eligible for other programs. Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Senate Set To Open Debate on Health Care Overhaul Legislation
This afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will deliver opening statements to kick off debate of the chamber’s health care reform bill. Changes to provisions that would create a government-run health plan could be the centerpiece of negotiations aimed at securing the votes needed for the measure to pass the Senate. Wall Street Journal et al.
Democrats, Republicans Set Strategy on Reform Over Recess
GOP and Democratic leaders in both chambers of Congress are urging members to carry their respective party’s message to constituents over the Thanksgiving recess. Democrats want members to highlight reform legislation’s insurance expansion, while Republicans are urging members to rally voters against the cost of the bills. CongressDaily, Roll Call.
Anecdotal Evidence Suggests Jump in Medical Bankruptcies
Although exact numbers are difficult to determine, there is a wide-ranging sense among bankruptcy lawyers and court officials that the number of personal bankruptcies attributed to health expenses is growing. Lawmakers, including President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, have said that reform legislation could help in several ways, including expanding Medicaid eligibility, prohibiting insurers from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and capping annual out-of-pocket medical costs. New York Times.
Federal Report Faults CMS on Oversight of Contracts
On Tuesday, the Government Accountability Office issued a report concluding that CMS does not have adequate internal controls in place over contracts, raising the potential for fraud and waste. HealthLeaders Media.
Sanofi Pasteur Opens Plant To Prove Safety of H1N1 Vaccine
Earlier this month, drugmaker Sanofi Pasteur opened its manufacturing plant in Swiftwater, Pa., to reporters in the hope of proving that the H1N1 influenza vaccine it makes is safe. Sanofi, the only drugmaker that manufactures the H1N1 vaccine in the U.S., said the H1N1 version of the vaccine is made the same way the traditional flu vaccine has been made for decades. Los Angeles Times.
Investigation Shows Military Suicides Up; Leaders Push Response
A CQ Today investigation found that at least 334 members of the military services have taken their own lives this year, with the Army accounting for 211 of those suicides. Members of Congress and military leaders are pushing for more mental health care for service members. CQ Today.
U.S. Lifts Travel, Immigration Ban on HIV-Positive People
This month, the federal government eliminated its prohibition on foreigners with HIV visiting the country and applying for a green card. Immigration lawyers said the ban caused foreigners to avoid testing and to go without medication, as well as skilled workers to be returned to their home countries. Critics of lifting the ban said the move will increase health care costs in the U.S. Los Angeles Times.
Iowa First To Win U.S. Funds for Electronic Record Effort
Iowa will be the first state in the nation to receive federal matching funds to plan an incentive program for electronic health records. Officials said they would use the matching funds to conduct an analysis of Iowa’s existing health information technology efforts. HealthLeaders Media.