Latest California Healthline Stories
City Council Bans Fast-Food Restaurants in South L.A.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved a law to prohibit fast-food restaurants from opening in South Los Angeles for at least a year. The measure aims to attract restaurants serving healthier food to the area, where a study found 30% of children are obese. Representatives of fast-food restaurants said they were being unfairly targeted. Los Angeles Times, NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
Congressional Leaders Urge Wider FDA Power Over Rx Drug Industry
Leaders in the House and Senate are calling for legislation that would give FDA authority to issue fines, order product recalls and otherwise regulate the pharmaceutical industry. Drugmakers are expected to oppose proposals they believe would hurt innovation. Wall Street Journal.
Sharp Grossmont Files Plan To Keep Medicare, Medi-Cal Funding
Hospital officials say they have taken disciplinary action against workers and launched education efforts to correct problems that could lead to the facility losing federal funds. Medicare and Medi-Cal account for about half of patient revenue at Sharp Grossmont. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Dean Warns of Problems From Budget Cuts at UCSF Pharmacy School
An accreditation body has asked the dean of the UC-San Francisco School of Pharmacy to detail plans to address budgetary and staffing issues by mid-October. Dean Mary Ann Koda-Kimble says that time table isn’t realistic, in part because of state budget cuts. San Francisco Business Times.
Health Care Cuts Would Leave Los Angeles Vulnerable
In an opinion piece, Jimmy Hara, chair of the Venice Family Clinic’s board of directors, argues that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed health care cuts would leave Los Angeles vulnerable. He writes that “it may be only a matter of months before the entire local health care system becomes totally destabilized, resulting in long delays in treatment and avoidable deaths.” Los Angeles Times.
Federal Report Finds Drop in Complaints on Medicare Drug Plans
The rate of complaints about Medicare drug coverage dropped significantly over an 18-month period, and CMS is taking less time to resolve most complaints, according to a report. However, serious problems about access to medications still take too long to resolve, the report said. AP/Las Vegas Sun.
Veterans’ Groups File Appeal in S.F. Suit on Mental Health Care
Two groups are seeking to overturn a federal judge’s dismissal of a case that sought to force changes to the VA health care system. The groups allege that long waits for care and inadequate staffing contributed to suicides among veterans. Washington Times.
Emergency Loan Efforts for Clinics Win Backing From Insurer, Hospitals
Health Net, Catholic Healthcare West, Sutter Health and Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Burlingame Regional Community are financing emergency loan programs for clinics while Medi-Cal payments are on hold. The groups will offer $15.3 million in loans. Sacramento Business Journal.
Sonoma County Health Care Task Force Seeks Local Input
Next month, Health Action, a task force appointed by Sonoma County supervisors, will hold a series of public hearings to gather input on initiatives aimed at providing all residents with primary care medical services and promoting access to healthy foods and physical activity. Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Stem Cell Agency Faces New Limits on Research
Sen. George Runner is pushing for a change of the rules that the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine’s scientific and medical research funding group uses to approve proposals. Runner’s amendment aims to make it easier for proposals that do not involve human embryonic stem cells to win funds. San Francisco Business Times.