Latest California Healthline Stories
School Districts Grapple With Shortage of School Nurses, Face Pushback
Some school workers are being asked to provide medical assistance to students, given the shortage of nurses. The American Nurses Association is challenging the California Department of Education’s call for volunteer school employees to administer insulin to students. Los Angeles Daily News.
New Bill Aims To Help Small Businesses Offer Insurance
On Thursday, Rep. Don Cazayoux announced legislation, called the Small Business Health Option Program, that would create a nationwide health insurance purchasing pool aimed at helping small businesses and the self-employed provide health insurance. Baton Rouge Advocate.
Yolo County Extends Needle Exchange Program
On Tuesday, Yolo County supervisors voted 3-2 to extend a controversial needle exchange program for another year and allocate $100,000 in funding. The Syringe Exchange Program, launched last year, aims to cut the rate of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C infections among intravenous drug users. However, health officials say there is not enough information to determine if the program has been effective, and some Woodland residents have complained that their parks and neighborhoods are littered with syringes. Sacramento Bee.
Biotech Firms Back Bill That Would Ease Financial Burden
San Francisco-area biotech companies are supporting a bill (AB 1370) that would increase from 10 years to 20 years the period of deductibility for net operating losses for life sciences companies. The Assembly unanimously passed the bill, and the legislation is expected to gain approval in the Senate. Contra Costa Times.
Chlamydia, Gonorrhea Cases Spike in Riverside County
Riverside County reported a nearly 24% spike in chlamydia cases, as well as an increase in gonorrhea cases, in 2007, according to a survey by the county’s health department. Neighboring San Bernardino County reported about a 4% increase in chlamydia cases and a decrease in gonorrhea cases last year. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Few Massachusetts Dentists Treat Newly Insured Patients
Just 17% of Massachusetts dentists have agreed to see patients who have recently acquired free or subsidized dental care under the state’s new health insurance law. Dentists say that the state’s reimbursement rate for adults covers only about 50% of their costs and that there are payment delays and burdensome paperwork. Boston Globe.