Latest California Healthline Stories
McCain Lays Out Plans for Cancer Research at Forum
Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, said he would increase funding for the National Cancer Institute and support FDA regulation of tobacco at a town hall meeting hosted by Lance Armstrong. Presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama did not attend because he was out of the country. Los Angeles Times, NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
Most California Health Care Executives Favor Obama
A new Adaptive Business Leaders Organization survey found that 56.5% of California health executives believe Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) would be a better president as far as the health care industry is concerned, while 43.5% said Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) would be a better president. San Francisco Business Times.
Health Net Settles Class-Action Lawsuits on Out-of-Network Care
The Woodland Hills-based insurer agreed to pay more than $200 million and make $40 million in changes to its business practices to settle claims that its members paid more than they should have for out-of-network care. Newark Star-Ledger, AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
WellPoint’s Net Income Drops for Second Straight Quarter
On Wednesday, WellPoint, parent company of Anthem Blue Cross, reported that net income for Q2 2008 declined from $835.2 million to $750.5 million. The health plan is lowering its earning prediction for 2008 after two straight quarters of net income decline. Sacramento Business Journal.
Camarillo Council Opposes Proposed Prison Hospital
This week, the Camarillo City Council unanimously approved a letter to federal receiver J. Clark Kelso outlining the city’s reasons for opposing the construction of a prison hospital just beyond city limits. The council also voted unanimously to hire Rincon Consultants to study potential environmental issues related to the proposed facility. Ventura County Star.