Latest California Healthline Stories
Drugmakers’ Spending on Consumer Ads Fell in 2008
Drugmakers reduced their spending on consumer advertising of prescription drugs by 8% in 2008, the first decline in pharmaceutical advertising spending since at least the 1990s. Pharmaceutical ad experts attribute last year’s drop in spending to fewer introductions of new drugs and increased congressional scrutiny of drug marketing. Wall Street Journal.
New AARP Research Sees Increase in Cost of Brand-Name Medications
The report indicates that prices for frequently prescribed brand-name treatments are increasing by more than the rate of inflation at the same time that prices for generic drugs are declining. A drugmaker industry group called the report “one-sided.” AP/Myrtle Beach Sun News.
White House Health Reform Czar Sizes Up Prospects, Challenges
At a briefing yesterday, White House Office of Health Reform Director Nancy-Ann DeParle expressed optimism that lawmakers would reach an agreement on health reform this year and outlined potential areas for compromises lawmakers could explore for a proposed public health plan option. DeParle also hit on President Obama’s effort to control health care costs. AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer et al.
Immigrants’ Kids Less Likely To Receive Public Benefits
Children of immigrant parents are far less likely to receive public benefits than children of parents born in the U.S., raising concerns about the welfare of this fast growing group. NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
Governor Continues Push for Measures on Special Election Ballot
Gov. Schwarzenegger said the state’s budget problems are the result of a flawed budget process rather than providing health care and other services for undocumented immigrants. Meanwhile, Attorney General Brown endorsed the budget-related measures on the ballot. Los Angeles Times et al.
Bakersfield Group Aims To Boost Knowledge of End-of-Life Care Law
This year, a law took effect in California that requires health care providers to comply with patients’ preferences for end-of-life care that are documented in a form called a Physician’s Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment. A Bakersfield group is publicizing the law locally. Bakersfield Californian.
Laid-Off Californians Mull Health Insurance Options
About 500,000 working-age California residents lost their health coverage in the past 18 months. KQED’s “California Report” discusses the health insurance options for laid-off workers. KQED’s “California Report.”
Medicare Rate Suit in Calif. Could Have Wide Implications
Seven California counties are challenging the “rural” designation Medicare has assigned them to determine reimbursement rates, arguing that the classification has translated to their being underpaid systemically. Nationwide, Medicare also classifies 175 higher-cost counties as rural. HealthLeaders Media.
Initiative Would Target Kids of Undocumented Immigrants
Activists are circulating a petition to qualify a ballot measure that would distinguish between children of undocumented immigrants born in California and other California-born children. Under the proposed initiative, children of undocumented immigrants would get a new type of birth certificate and would be ineligible for publicly funded health care services. North County Times.
Contra Costa Clinic To Expand To Meet Growing Need
La Clinica de La Raza plans to move its central Contra Costa health clinic to a new building that is nearly three times the size of its current facility to help serve a rising number of uninsured residents. The expansion comes just after the budget-strapped Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted to eliminate basic health care services for adult undocumented immigrants. Contra Costa Times.