Latest California Healthline Stories
New U.S. Rules on Doctor Rights Met With Opposition, Questions
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said new rules aim to protect health care workers from discrimination or discipline if they refuse to participate in abortions or refer patients elsewhere for abortions, but it remains unclear how the rules will affect access to contraception and other services. Washington Times et al.
Medicare ‘Donut Hole’ Forces Some Patients To Forgo Drugs
About 15% of the 3.4 million Medicare drug plan beneficiaries who reached the plan’s coverage gap, or “donut hole,” in 2007 stopped drug treatments, according to a new study. The donut hole takes effect when total drug spending for an individual beneficiary reaches $2,400 for a single year and continues until total out-of-pocket spending reaches $3,850. AP/Los Angeles Times.
Blue Shield of California Foundation OKs Grants for 17 Organizations
The foundation will award about $7.7 million to 15 not-for-profit groups in California and two on the East Coast. The greatest share of funds will go to efforts to boost health information technology efforts and the California medical safety net. San Francisco Business Times.
Kids Affected by Violence Could Get Mental Health Care Under California Bill
The Legislature has approved a measure that would use funds from the Victim Compensation Program to provide up to $5,000 in mental health services to children who witness violent crime. That money does not come from the state general fund. San Francisco Chronicle.
Genentech To Offer $371M in Employee Retention Bonuses
On Thursday, Genentech announced a plan to provide $371 million in retention bonuses to keep employees from leaving in light of Roche’s proposal to buy out the biotechnology company. Under the plan, Genentech CEO Arthur Levinson would receive a retention bonus of $8.7 million. San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Business Times.