Latest California Healthline Stories
Officials Dispute Possible Pocket Veto of Defense Bill
A White House official said President Bush pocket vetoed the $696 billion defense authorization bill, but Democratic congressional leaders say they consider it a normal veto. At stake is whether Congress can hold an override vote on the measure. The Hill, CQ Today.
Study Warns of Greater Health Risks From Air Pollution in California
A Stanford researcher estimates that about one-third of increased deaths tied to global warming in the U.S. occur in California. He argues that the findings strengthen the state’s case against the U.S. government to adopt California-specific auto emissions and fuel standards. Sacramento Bee.
Study: Many Drug Samples Go to Higher-Income Patients
A study in the American Journal of Public Health found that wealthier patients were more likely than lower-income patients to receive no-cost samples of prescription drugs from physicians. Where patients received care also was a key factor in whether they received the samples, the study found. USA Today et al.
Bush Approves Kids’ Health Extension With Funds Through 2009
The law will fund coverage for children currently enrolled in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program through March 2009. Republican and Democratic lawmakers said they will continue working on a long-term reauthorization. AP/Houston Chronicle, AP/Lexington Herald-Leader.
Key Funding Provision of San Francisco Health Care Plan Overturned
A federal judge ruled that San Francisco cannot require employers to meet certain spending levels for employee health care benefits or pay a fee to the city. The ruling raises concerns about the viability of statewide health care reform efforts. San Francisco Chronicle, AP/Contra Costa Times.
Hospitals in California Could See New Infection Reporting Requirements
Sen. Elaine Alquist plans to introduce a bill this month that would require hospitals to report infection rates and take steps to contain methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a type of staph infection that is becoming more prevalent nationwide. Los Angeles Times.
California Appeals Court Overturns Cancellation Case, Sends to Trial
The decision marks a shift in the way California courts have dealt with lawsuits over the cancellation of individual health insurance policies and reinforces recent actions that California regulators have taken against insurance companies. Los Angeles Times.
Bush Signs Omnibus, Criticizes Earmarks
The $555 billion omnibus spending bill includes the 2008 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill and 10 other appropriations bills, as well as funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bush said earmarks in the bills “are not funded through a merit-based process and provide a vehicle for wasteful government spending.” Washington Post et al.
Study Finds Disparities in Emergency Room Pain Relief
A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that minority patients were less likely than whites to receive narcotics when they complained of pain in hospital emergency departments. The study showed that narcotics use was up overall and that disparities persisted at both rural and urban hospitals. AP/Houston Chronicle.
California Lawmakers Mull Changes to EMT Oversight
Last year, Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed legislation aimed at boosting state authority over emergency medical technicians, but lawmakers in both houses of the California Legislature plan to again push measures that would create new requirements for licensure as an EMT. Sacramento Bee.