Latest California Healthline Stories
Editorial Backs Stanislaus County Needle Exchange Plan
An editorial calls for Stanislaus County supervisors to move forward with a recommendation from last year’s civil grand jury that the county should create a syringe exchange program to curb the spread of hepatitis C. The Health Services Agency and three advisory groups support the proposal, but county law enforcement executives oppose it. Modesto Bee.
Elizabeth Edwards Calls for Major Health Care Reform
Last night in Philadelphia, Elizabeth Edwards discussed the need for major health care reform in the U.S. Edwards said that neither presidential candidate is proposing universal and comprehensive health insurance coverage but that Sen. Barack Obama’s health plan would do more to move the country in the right direction. Philadelphia Inquirer.
Court Order Could Stem From Legislature Not Acting on Prison Health
In budget negotiations, California lawmakers did not act on a funding request for new prison medical facilities. Attorney General Jerry Brown petitioned a federal judge to reject a court order that would force the state to release $8 billion for prison health facilities. Ventura County Star, Los Angeles Times.
Wall Street Investors Turn to Biotechnology Industry
Investors increasingly are looking toward the biotechnology industry in the wake of the country’s financial troubles. To some extent, biomedical firms have been unaffected by the constraint on business financing because large pharmaceutical firms have been serving in the role of the banking industry in recent years. San Francisco Chronicle.
New Rules Restrict Marketing of Medicare Advantage, Rx Plans
Some key provisions of the federal rules will bar unsolicited sales pitches, meals at sales presentations and conducting sales presentations at physicians’ offices or other locations where health care services are provided. The rules will take effect next month. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Patients Unclear on Care After Discharge From ED
A study published online by the Annals of Emergency Medicine found that most emergency department patients are discharged without understanding their diagnosis, the treatment they received, instructions for their at-home care or warning signs of when to return to the hospital. New York Times.
Prime Healthcare Services Chair Discusses Work
In an interview with Modern Healthcare, Prem Reddy, chair of Prime Healthcare Services, discussed being selected as one of the 50 Most Powerful Physicians in Health Care by readers of Modern Healthcare and Modern Physician magazines, as well as his battle with managed care plans. Modern Healthcare.
Report Shows Drop in Inmate Deaths Since Medical Receivership
California’s prison health care receiver maintains that the drop in inmate deaths can be attributed to improvements the receivership has made to the prison medical system. The receiver has hired hundreds of nurses and physicians since 2006. Los Angeles Times, AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
San Jose, Santa Clara County Partner on Health Care Issues
Members of the San Jose City Council and Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors are collaborating to tackle common issues, including health care, that the two agencies face. At a meeting Monday, the elected officials discussed a proposal to seismically retrofit Santa Clara Valley Medical Center and build a new downtown medical center. San Jose Mercury News.
Reports Seek To Size Up Implications of McCain, Obama Health Plans
Two of the reports estimate that Republican John McCain’s plan would expand coverage to about five million uninsured residents, while Democrat Barack Obama’s ultimately would expand coverage to 34 million. The reports caution that both plans would have unintended consequences. Wall Street Journal et al.