Latest California Healthline Stories
State Lawsuit Alleges Cigarette Ad Violates Tobacco Settlement
Attorneys general in California and seven other states maintain that a Camel Cigarettes ad in Rolling Stone magazine violates the tobacco industry’s promise not market products to children. Camel manufacturer Reynolds American says the ad complies with the 1998 tobacco settlement. AP/Wall Street Journal.
VA Secretary Nominee Pledges Better Health Care
Veterans Affairs Secretary nominee retired Army Lt. Gen. James Peake said he would decrease delays in disability payments and reduce treatment gaps for veterans. Peake also stressed increased information sharing between the VA and the Pentagon to better address soldiers’ mental health issues. AP/Philadelphia Inquirer.
Report: Rising Medicaid Costs Threaten Many State Budgets
A report by the National Governors Association and the National Association of State Budget Officers found that health care spending is the greatest expenditure for state governments and could lead to budget shortfalls nationwide. Rising prescription drug costs, propelled by spending on Medicare and Medicaid patients, are driving the increases. AP/Asbury Park Press, CQ HealthBeat.
Support for Emergency Care for Immigrants Nears 50% in New Poll
A Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll found that 46% of U.S. residents believe immigrants, whether undocumented or documented, should be able to receive treatment in hospital emergency departments. Health care ranked above immigration as a priority in the 2008 election. Los Angeles Times.
Rural, Underserved Areas in California Get Help From FCC Grant
The California Telehealth Network will use a $22 million grant from the Federal Communications Commission to expand telemedicine technology to rural and underserved areas in the state. The grant will connect about 300 health care providers over three years. Eureka Reporter.
Health Care Reform Demands Cost, Quality Transparency
Leaders of AARP, the Pacific Business Group on Health and Consumers Union argue that the long-term success of health care reform in California depends on the mandatory release of cost and quality information by health care providers. San Francisco Chronicle.
Grassley Requests Probe of Nursing Homes’ Rx Drug Use
Sen. Chuck Grassley asked the HHS Inspector General to investigate the off-label use of antipsychotics to treat nursing home patients and the cost of the practice to Medicaid and Medicare. A newspaper investigation found the drugs are often given to dementia patients to control their symptoms. Wall Street Journal.
Medical Error at Cedars-Sinai Prompts Suit Against Drug Maker
Actor Dennis Quaid’s lawsuit against the manufacturer of the blood thinner Heparin alleges that poor labeling of its vials led to three children, including two of his kids, receiving 1,000 times the intended dosage of the medication at the L.A. hospital. Chicago Sun-Times, Los Angeles Times.
Santa Clara County Supports Nutrition Facts on Menus
The county board of supervisors voted to draft an ordinance to require chain restaurants to post calorie amounts on their menus. Meanwhile, an opinion piece by the executive director of the Center for Consumer Freedom calls the legislation “the latest quick-fix diet scheme.” San Jose Mercury News.
Changes to Medicare Rx Drug Coverage Spark Concerns
Rising premiums, changes in coverage and the elimination of current plans have made it more confusing for Medicare Part D beneficiaries to choose a new plan for next year. Low-income enrollees have the fewest options for coverage. Ventura County Star.