Latest California Healthline Stories
Officials Work To Quell Vaccine Safety Concerns
CDC officials are working to reassure the public that childhood vaccines are safe following news that federal health officials acknowledged a connection between a child’s autism and a series of vaccines she received as a toddler. Experts maintain that the child’s case is unique and that a rare condition led to the child’s autism. Baltimore Sun.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of March 7, 2008
St. Joseph Hospital in Orange is under a state investigation after performing its third “wrong-site” procedure since January 2006. Meanwhile, union nurses at several Sutter Health hospitals in the Bay Area are voting on whether to authorize strikes.
California Bill Could Lead to Higher Fees, Penalties for HMOs
Senate Budget Committee Chair Denise Ducheny has authored a bill that would take about $2 million annually in funds collected from insurers and divert them to a program that provides grants and loans to medical students who commit to working in areas with physician shortages. Capitol Weekly.
Legislature Considers Ban on Some Chemicals in Furniture
Last year, Assembly member Mark Leno introduced legislation that would prohibit the use of brominated and chlorinated chemicals as furniture flame retardants because he said the toxic compounds can endanger firefighters and consumers. The Assembly approved the measure, and the Senate is scheduled to vote on the bill later this year. Los Angeles Times.