Latest California Healthline Stories
Supreme Court Says Doctors Can’t Deny Treatment to Gays
The California Supreme Court rejected San Diego physicians’ argument for a religious exemption to state laws that bar discrimination based on sexual orientation. Attorneys for the doctors said they might appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, maintaining that the decision could affect other areas where doctors’ religious beliefs conflict with medical treatment. San Jose Mercury News et al.
‘Harry and Louise’ Ads Set To Re-Emerge in 2008 Campaign
Consumer advocacy and business groups are convening today in Washington, D.C., to kick off a round of ads that will resurrect the Harry and Louise figures from a 1994 campaign against President Clinton’s health care plan. This time around, the ads will support health care reform. Detroit Free Press et al.
‘Jessica’s Law’ Coverage Not Balanced, Psychologist Says
In an online letter to the editor, Philip Kaushall, a clinical and forensic psychologist, criticized the Los Angeles Times‘ coverage of “Jessica’s Law,” which requires mental health professionals to evaluate sex offenders. Kaushall writes, “The Times presents cases of seemingly excessive billing by some evaluating psychologists and psychiatrists, but the reader is left in the dark regarding the circumstances.” Los Angeles Times.
Health Insurers Roll Out More Products in Market for Individual Coverage
Health insurers are trying to make individual policies more affordable by eliminating or limiting benefits and offering higher deductibles for policyholders. Insurers are focusing on early retirees and adults in their 20s and early 30s who do not have employer-sponsored coverage. Hartford Courant.
Presidential Candidates Go ‘Soft’ on Issue of Medicare
Presumptive presidential nominees Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain are downplaying Medicare compared to past presidential campaigns, in part because of funding challenges facing the program and its strong public support. NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
FDA Partnering With Medco To Study Genetics, Rx Treatments
The two-year study will focus on the connections between patients’ genetic profiles and the medications they are prescribed in hopes of learning more about possible benefits of “personalized medicine.” An FDA spokesperson said the study could improve drug dosing. Wall Street Journal.
Program Gives Patients More Say in End-of-Life Care
A program — called Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, or POLST — encourages patients nearing the end of their lives to discuss with their families the kind of end-of-life care they would like to receive. Six states are using the POLST model, and more states are considering adopting a variation of the program. Kansas Health Institute.
San Bernardino County Health Agency Not Being Cut
San Bernardino County officials said that claims that the county-operated Arrowhead Regional Medical Center will absorb the Department of Public Health are untrue. Recently, two top Department of Public Health officials resigned. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
California Issues Latest Round of Fines for Care Violations at Hospitals
State regulators announced fines against 18 hospitals on Monday, using their authority under a 2007 California law that requires hospitals to report preventable medical errors to state authorities. To date, 42 hospitals have been fined under the law. Riverside Press-Enterprise et al.
Assembly Rejects Measures To Ban Chemicals
On Monday, the Assembly rejected two bills that would have banned controversial chemicals from fast food containers, microwave popcorn bags and baby bottles. Proponents of the measures said there was enough evidence that the chemicals posed potential health hazards, and several lawmakers objected to pressure from lobbyists to oppose the bills. However, opponents of the bills said determining acceptable levels of risk should be left up to the market. Sacramento Bee.