Latest California Healthline Stories
Public Health Chief Defends Nursing Home Oversight
California officials take all complaints of inadequate care at nursing homes and hospitals “extremely seriously,” according to Mark Horton, director of the Department of Public Health. He writes that 99.4% of complaints against health facilities are resolved within 10 days. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Drug Industry Group Offers Voluntary Marketing Rules
On Thursday, the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America announced voluntary marketing guidelines that suggest limiting drugmakers’ gifts to doctors. Legislation that would require pharmaceutical firms to disclose such gifts is before Congress. San Francisco Chronicle.
L.A. County-USC Training Program Threatened
The Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education has withdrawn its certification of the cardiology training program at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. The facility hopes to address the problems and retain certification for the program. Los Angeles Times.
Latino Conference Includes Session on Health Care
Presidential campaign representatives for Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama will detail their plans for addressing health care in a town hall meeting on Sunday at the National Council of La Raza convention in San Diego. Conference organizers also plan to press the presidential candidates on immigration and other issues. San Diego Union-Tribune.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Weeks of July 4 and 11, 2008
Providence Health & Services agreed to buy the Tarzana campus of Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center, and Prime Healthcare Services wrapped up its purchase of two hospitals from Tenet Healthcare. Meanwhile, Sutter Medical Center in Santa Rosa announced job cuts.
Effort To Cut Hospital Infections Expands to 55 Hospitals in California
The Blue Shield of California Foundation said it expects the initiative to save $30 million in unnecessary costs to patients and hospitals. The program is designed to train hospital staff to prevent six common categories of hospital-acquired infections. San Francisco Business Times.
Los Angeles County Officials Target Illegal Rx Drug Sales
Los Angeles County’s Health Authority Law Enforcement Task Force, or HALT, consists of health officials and police working to shut down prescription drug sales by unlicensed providers. Many unlicensed providers cater to the Latino community, especially recent immigrants. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
California Democratic Leaders Say Budget Plan Avoids More Health Cuts
Democratic legislative leaders said their spending proposal — including tax hikes — offers a “balanced approach” to addressing California’s budget deficit. Democrats would use the tax increases to fund health care and other programs. Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News.