Latest California Healthline Stories
U.S. Supreme Court Set To Hear Case on Rx Drug Liability
Justices will decide whether FDA’s approval of medications or medical devices pre-empts individuals’ ability to ask state courts to hold drugmakers liable for problems with the drugs. Earlier this year, the court found that a federal law protects medical device makers from such suits. New York Times.
Schwarzenegger, Legislature OK Agreement on State Budget
Health care and education advocates oppose the new restrictions to a state reserve fund that lawmakers added to win Gov. Schwarzenegger’s support for the plan. Advocates maintain that the budget raises the possibility of deeper health care cuts in the future. Los Angeles Times et al.
Latest Medicare Fraud Crackdown Triggers 18 Arrests in L.A. Area
A team of federal and state investigators maintain that the individuals were part of schemes that aimed to defraud Medicare of more than $30 million by submitting fraudulent bills for medical equipment. Medicare fraud is particularly active in Los Angeles and Miami. Los Angeles Times.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of Sept. 19, 2008
Kaiser said that its new facility in Modesto would open on Oct. 1, and officials at UC-Irvine announced that construction of the campus’ new hospital wrapped up four months early and cost less than projected. Meanwhile, CMS said Sharp Grossmont had resolved patient care and management problems.
Longs Drug Stores Rejects Walgreen’s Unsolicited Offer
Yesterday, Longs Drug Stores Rejected Walgreen’s unsolicited offer to purchase the pharmacy chain, citing antitrust concerns and the length of the regulatory approval process. Walgreen offered to pay $75 per share for Longs stock, higher than rival CVS Caremark’s offer of $71.50 per share. Walgreen officials said they would continue to pursue the offer. San Francisco Chronicle.
Johns Hopkins President Calls for Simplifying Health Care
In an opinion piece, William Brody, president of Johns Hopkins University, argues that health care reform must begin by simplifying the U.S. system. He writes, “When Washington addresses health care reform, therefore, it needs to treat complexity as one of the major symptoms.” San Francisco Chronicle.
Report: California Global Warming Law Will Cut Asthma, Early Deaths
As California prepares to implement a law aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions, the state Air Resources Board released research on the law’s expected effects on public health and the economy. Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle.
Privacy Protections Criticized in Electronic Health Records Effort
A federal report concludes that HHS has not developed an adequate system to resolve concerns about patient privacy as it works to develop a nationwide electronic health record network. The report is a follow-up to research from 2007. CongressDaily.
Editorial Urges ‘No’ Vote on Parental Notification Effort
A San Francisco Chronicle editorial urges voters to reject Proposition 4, which would require parental notification at least 48 hours before a minor has an abortion. Just as the two previous parental notification measures were defeated, this one “also should be rejected by voters who care about the safety and privacy rights of young women,” the editorial states. San Francisco Chronicle.
Congress Signs Off on Expansion of Americans With Disabilities Act
The bill would expand the scope of who would be considered to have a disability after the U.S. Supreme Court in several cases ruled that individuals could not be considered disabled if medications, medical devices or prosthetics were available to help them. President Bush plans to sign the measure. New York Times et al.