Latest California Healthline Stories
Army Task Force Cites Major Gaps in Brain Injury Treatment
An Army task force found major shortfalls in identifying and treating traumatic brain injuries in soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The task force in May made 48 recommendations related to brain injuries, and the Army has taken action on 40 of those measures. USA Today, AP/Contra Costa Times.
Health Care Election News for the Week of Jan. 18, 2008
The American Medical Association announced plans to spend up to $15 million to highlight health insurance coverage as an issue in the presidential campaign, while Sen. Barack Obama kicks off television advertisements on health care in Arizona and Nevada
Chemical Exposure Linked to Costly Illnesses, Deaths
A report by UC researchers found that more than 200,000 California workers in 2004 suffered from chronic diseases caused by exposure to industrial chemicals. Another 4,400 residents died of those illnesses. The cost in medical expenses and lost wages exceeded $2 billion. AP/San Diego Union-Tribune.
Study Links Preventive Care to Decline in Kids’ Hospitalization Rates
A study found a 25% decline in preventable hospitalizations for kids in California counties that operate Children’s Health Initiatives aimed at expanding health insurance coverage to kids. Researchers attributed the drop to better access to preventive care. San Luis Obispo Tribune.
States, Cities Face Legal Barriers to Universal Care
Lawmakers in several states are closely watching a legal battle over employer contribution requirements in the Healthy San Francisco program. The outcome will determine how far states and local reforms can go to force employers to contribute to the cost of health insurance. USA Today.
Bush Budget Might Include Medicare Physician Fee Fix
When he submits his budget proposal next month, President Bush might propose a plan for addressing a scheduled 10.6% reduction in Medicare physician reimbursements. HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said lawmakers cannot continue with short-term patches to the fee cut. CongressDaily, CQ Today.
Drug Makers Rarely Publish Negative Results of Studies
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that pharmaceutical companies were much more likely to publish the results of studies on antidepressants that showed favorable outcomes. The finding adds to the debate over the disclosure of drug trial data used in the FDA approval process. New York Times et al.
Merced, Stanislaus County Officials Call for New UC Medical School
Officials from Merced and Stanislaus counties joined their counterparts in Kings and Mariposa counties in supporting a resolution that would establish a medical school at UC-Merced. University officials hope the medical school will be operational by 2013. Modesto Bee.
California Begins Offering Certificates of Stillbirth
A new state law allows parents of stillborns to obtain certificates if the death occurred after a fetus reaches 20 weeks gestation. California became the 21st state to issue stillbirth certificates. Modesto Bee.