Latest California Healthline Stories
Schwarzenegger Calls Special Legislative Session for Budget
Less than a month after lawmakers approved a state budget, lower-than-expected revenue has prompted Gov. Schwarzenegger to announce plans for a special legislative session next month to deal with a growing budget deficit and economic stimulus efforts. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass said that a stimulus could help preserve health care coverage. Los Angeles Times, AP/San Diego Union-Tribune.
Poor Economy Prompts Some To Cut Back on Rx Drugs
In response to the economic downturn, some U.S. consumers are cutting back on prescription drugs. IMS Health found that the number of prescriptions dispensed through August of this year was lower than the first eight months of last year, and Pfizer has reported that sales of its drug Lipitor are down 13% in Q3. New York Times.
Prospects, Challenges for Health Care Reform Subject of Conference
The fifth annual American Health Care Congress included discussions of obstacles that Gov. Schwarzenegger’s plan to overhaul California’s health care system encountered and arguments in favor of updating the health care delivery and financing systems. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Uninsured Not Cause of ED Overcrowding, Study Finds
It commonly is believed that the uninsured are responsible for emergency department overcrowding, but a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that over the past decade, insured patients made up the majority of the increased use of the country’s EDs. USA Today.
Candidates’ Health Plan Estimates Often Unreliable
Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain continue to tout their health care proposals by citing statistics about the amount of money their plans would save U.S. residents. However, those figures often are developed by health economists with ideological leanings or financial conflicts, making these estimates “almost meaningless.” New York Times.
Report Raises Questions About Access to Care for California Kids
New research from UCLA’s Center for Health Policy Research found that the percentage of children seeing private physicians is declining while dependence on public health insurance programs and clinics is increasing. The lead author of the report said the findings were particularly troublesome in light of California’s budget situation. Los Angeles Daily News, Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Kaiser Gets Award From Gay and Lesbian Medical Group
On Monday, the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association — a group of about 1,000 physicians, nurses, medical students and other health professionals — announced that it is giving a 2008 Achievement Award to Kaiser Permanente for “a long record of working to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender populations receive quality care.” San Francisco Business Times.
San Joaquin County Cuts Off Funding for Mobile Clinic Service
San Joaquin County health administrators said there are more cost-effective ways to treat patients than through its mobile health clinic. The county launched the effort in fiscal year 2000-2001 as part of its Community Health Access program. Stockton Record.
House Leaders Call for Investigation of Health Net Medicare Marketing
Two members of Congress are asking CMS to investigate California-based Health Net for potential violations of rules governing the marketing of Medicare Advantage plans. A Health Net spokesperson said the company is reviewing agents’ marketing practices. CQ HealthBeat.
PTSD Treatment for Kids Gets Funding for Full Trial
An anonymous donor will fund a three-year full trial of treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder in 50 children exposed to pervasive community violence. A pilot study of a handful of San Francisco middle school students found that the one-on-one treatment method is effective. San Francisco Chronicle.