Latest California Healthline Stories
McKesson Buys Distributor of Drug, Health Products
On Wednesday, McKesson completed its previously announced acquisition of McQueary Bros. Drug Company, a regional distributor of pharmaceutical, health and beauty products, for $190 million. San Francisco Business Times.
Closure Proposed for Mount Diablo Health Care District
The Mount Diablo Health Care District has spent just $5,000 on health-related services in the last decade, and nearly all of the $1.3 million in property tax it generated in the past four years has gone toward administrative and operating expenses. Contra Costa Times.
California Regulators Fine 13 Hospitals for Patient Care Violations
Under a law that took effect in January 2007, the Department of Public Health has issued three rounds of administrative penalties as part of efforts to increase hospital accountability for patient care. Hospitals can appeal the fines. Los Angeles Times et al.
Proposed Bill Targets Early Childhood Health, Education Program
A state tobacco tax increase provides funds for early childhood health and education programs through First 5 California. However, Sen. Dave Cox proposes using those funds to pay for children’s health insurance coverage and to supplement school funding. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
L.A. County Seniors Face Barriers to Dental Care, Other Medical Services
A new poll found that nearly two-thirds of older residents in Los Angeles County either lacked dental insurance or had inadequate coverage, raising concerns about Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposal to eliminate Denti-Cal benefits for adult beneficiaries. Los Angeles Times.
Experts Analyze Latest Data on Teen Births in California
A recent study found that the teen birth rate in California increased in 2006 after 15 years of declines. Douglas Kirby of Education, Training and Research Associates and Petra Jerman of the Public Health Institute are scheduled to discuss the findings on Thursday on a public radio show. KQED’s Forum.
Legislation Would Undermine End-of-Life Care
A bill (AB 2747) by Assembly member Patty Berg is “a vehicle for Compassion and Choices’ long-term agenda: facilitating assisted suicide” and “includes many elements that would significantly undermine end-of-life care in service of this goal,” Marilyn Golden, a policy analyst at the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, writes in an opinion piece. She concludes that the bill “should be opposed unless significantly amended.” Capitol Weekly.
Survey: 78% of Voters Concerned Over Plans To Cut Health Services
Last week, Gov. Schwarzenegger called for cutting more than $3 billion from health and human services programs, but a new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California found that voters are worried about the implications of those budget cuts. Nonetheless, only 17% of voters said preserving funding for those programs was a priority. KQED’s “Capital Notes,” San Francisco Chronicle.
Budget Office Questions Savings From EHR Adoption
The Congressional Budget Office released an analysis late Tuesday discounting previous projections of significant cost savings from adopting health care IT. The office found that while there is a potential for saving in certain instances, such as combining IT with larger reforms, the technology by itself is unlikely to generate large financial benefits. Wall Street Journal.
State Report Links More Deaths to Air Pollution
Fine particle pollution is 70% more dangerous than previously believed and could be responsible for as many as 24,000 deaths annually in California, according to new state estimates. Officials say the findings could lead state regulators to propose even tighter emission limits in the state, which already has the country’s strictest controls and the worst air pollution. Sacramento Bee et al.