Latest California Healthline Stories
Proposed Medicaid Rules Aim To Rework Program
Two new rules proposed by the Bush administration would let states alter their benefits packages and reconfigure premium and cost-sharing arrangements. The rules are slated to be published in today’s Federal Register and will be open to 30 days of public comment. CMS release.
Disease Advocacy Groups Urge Action on Obesity Plan
The American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association on Thursday announced their support for a bill that would require some California restaurants to include nutritional information on menus. Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill last year. Ventura County Star.
Health Care News From the Campaign Trail for the Week of Feb. 22
Democratic Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama faced off over their health care plans at a debate on Thursday, while likely Republican nominee Sen. John McCain said he would debate either Clinton or Obama on health care.
Sutter Health Aims To Streamline Care Through New Provider Network
Sutter Health hopes to make it easier to coordinate care and reduce errors that occur when patients are transferred among physician groups. All but one of the groups affiliated with Sutter have entered the new arrangement, characterized as a “virtual physician group.” Sacramento Bee.
Medical Device Ruling Could Affect Liability Lawsuits
The Supreme Court’s ruling in the Riegel v. Medtronic case that FDA approval of certain medical devices protects manufacturers from product liability lawsuits filed in state courts could affect several product liability cases for medical devices, including those involving Johnson & Johnson’s Cypher drug-eluting stent, Medtronic’s recalled Sprint Fidelis defibrillator leads and St. Jude Medical’s recalled silver-coated heart valves. New York Times.
Pharmaceutical Trade Group Spent $22M on Lobbying
In 2007 the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America spent $22 million lobbying Congress, up 25% from 2006. The trade group lobbied against legislation that would have allowed the government to negotiate drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries, as well as patent-reform legislation. AP/Houston Chronicle.