Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Care Groups Join Battle Against Measures in State Special Election
The California Nurses Association, Mental Health America in Los Angeles and the Mental Health Association of California are mounting campaigns against measures in the special election. Gov. Schwarzenegger is campaigning for the measures. Wall Street Journal et al.
Group Organizes No-Cost Surgeries for Patients
Several dozen uninsured patients underwent surgical procedures at no cost over the weekend through an effort the advocacy group Operation Access organized. About 84 Kaiser Permanente doctors, nurses and technicians donated their time for the project. San Francisco Chronicle.
California Drops Hold on Payments to Counties
California Controller John Chiang said he had made $45 million in payments for health care and other services that had been on hold until the Legislature and Gov. Schwarzenegger reached a budget agreement. Chiang also has released almost $2 billion in personal income tax refunds and more than $180 million in tax refunds to businesses. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee.
California Legislators Introduce Health Care Bills Before Cutoff
Lawmakers introduced bills dealing with Medi-Cal reimbursements during state budget delays, oversight of sleep disorder technicians and vision care benefits for state retirees ahead of the deadline for new legislation. Ventura County Star, Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Democrats Move To Allow Suits Against Device Makers
A day after the Supreme Court’s ruling that federal rules do not shield drugmakers from state lawsuits, Congressional Democrats reintroduced a bill that would allow similar lawsuits against medical device makers. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Poizner Showcases Web Site With Information on Health Insurance
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner directed attention to a Web site intended to help recently unemployed people identify options for health care coverage. Poizner said nearly 80,000 Californians lost their jobs — and possible sources of health insurance — in January. Sacramento Business Journal.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of March 6, 2009
Anaheim Memorial Medical Center moved a step closer to a new owner, and the state Department of Public Health issued a report detailing quality problems at Hemet Hospital. Meanwhile, Pacifica Hospital filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Nevada Nurses Push for Nurse-to-Patient Ratios
On Thursday, about 150 nurses from the National Nurses Organizing Committee-Nevada held a rally to urge Nevada lawmakers to support a proposal that would set nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals. The California Nurses Association launched NNOC in 2004. AP/San Jose Mercury News.
Sanjay Gupta Withdraws as Surgeon General Candidate
CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Sanjay Gupta has withdrawn his name from consideration to become the U.S. surgeon general, citing his desire to continue practicing medicine, working on CNN and spending time with his family. Gupta urged whoever becomes U.S. surgeon general to raise the profile of the post. Washington Post.
Independent Pharmacists Sue Health Plan Over Contract
On Tuesday, RxPR1DE, a corporation that represents independent pharmacists, filed a lawsuit against the Inland Empire Health Plan and one of its care management providers over allegations that they improperly nullified a contract to force pharmacists to accept lower reimbursement rates. The suit seeks damages of more than $500,000 for breach of contract. Riverside Press-Enterprise.