Latest California Healthline Stories
Parental Notification Holds Slight Lead Among Voters
A new Public Policy Institute of California Poll found that 46% of voters favor Proposition 4, which would require parental notification for minors seeking an abortion. Forty-four percent of voters said they oppose the measure, while 10% said they were unsure of how they will vote. The Los Angeles Times published an editorial and two opinion pieces on Proposition 4. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Policy Analyst Urges Voters To Reject Bond Measures
In an opinion piece, Adam Summers, a Reason Foundation policy analyst, urges voters to reject initiatives that would authorize $16.8 billion in bonds on the Nov. 4 ballot, including a measure that would authorize $980 million for capital improvement projects at children’s hospitals. He argues, “Given the current condition of the economy in California, even the best bond measures should be rejected in the name of fiscal sanity.” Orange County Register.
WellPoint’s Profit Drops 5.4% After Investment Losses
After pre-tax investment losses of $562.6 million, WellPoint on Wednesday reported that its Q3 profit dropped 5.4% to $820.7 million and that its quarterly revenue of about $15 billion also was down slightly. WellPoint is the parent company of Anthem Blue Cross. Indianapolis Star.
Editorial Stumps for Santa Clara County Hospital Projects
An editorial urges voters to approve Measure A, which would authorize a 30-year, $840 million bond for seismic work at Valley Medical Center. The editorial also urges the Palo Alto City Council to approve a proposal to add 723,800 square feet to Stanford Hospital. San Jose Mercury News.
U.S. Medical Schools See Record Enrollment, First-Time Applications
Despite increasing medical school enrollment, many health care officials remain concerned about looming physician shortages. The American Association of Medical Colleges is pushing for a 30% jump in enrollment over 2002 levels. Bloomberg, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
California Officials Push for Changes to FDA Recall System for Drugs
Public health officials in California said there are flaws in the nationwide recall system and have raised the possibility of seeking legislation to change the system at a state level. The push comes after state officials fined 94 hospitals for problems in an FDA recall of heparin. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
Hospitals Work To Address Needs of Aging Residents
Hospitals in San Luis Obispo County are expanding, adding new physicians, investing in technology and improving community programs to meet the needs of the area’s aging population. San Luis Obispo Tribune.
California Law on End-of-Life Care Options a First
A law that Gov. Schwarzenegger signed last month will make California the first state in the nation to require physicians to give information about end-of-life care to terminally ill patients who ask for the information. The California Medical Association supported the measure. New York Times‘ “The New Old Age.”
Dental Hygiene Students Participate in Statewide Effort
Dental hygiene students at Riverside Community College District are participating in California’s Children’s Dental Disease Prevention Program. The statewide initiative aims to provide dental care and education in schools through public health and not-for-profit groups. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Study: More Than 25% of Uninsured Kids Have Parents With Coverage
Researchers found that about three million uninsured children have at least one parent with health care coverage. Most insured parents get coverage through an employer-sponsored plan but cannot afford to buy coverage for their families, according to the study. Bloomberg, Reuters.