Latest California Healthline Stories
Older Adults Benefit From Flu Vaccinations, Study Finds
A new study finds that adults ages 65 and older who received influenza vaccinations had a 27% lower risk for hospitalization and a 48% lower risk for death than those who did not receive vaccinations. Bloomberg/Philadelphia Inquirer et al.
Increased Workers’ Comp Benefits Under Review by California Stakeholders
A state official is meeting with stakeholders in the California workers’ compensation system to discuss possible increases to permanent disability benefits for injured workers. Gov. Schwarzenegger is expected to veto a bill that would double the benefits. Los Angeles Times.
Judge Denies CalPERS Bid for Summary Judgment in Suit
Attorneys for the California Public Employees’ Retirement System had requested summary judgment on part of a shareholder class-action lawsuit filed against UnitedHealth Group alleging that the company issued backdated stock options. Minneapolis Star Tribune.
House Democrats Delay Vote To Overturn Kids’ Insurance Veto
The U.S. House will wait until Oct. 18 to vote on whether to overturn President Bush’s veto of legislation to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Democrats say they have won support from two additional Republican lawmakers to vote to overturn the veto, but Republican leaders remain confident that they have the votes to sustain it. CQ Today et al.
Survey Finds Long Wait Times at San Diego County Hospitals
A survey of 19 hospitals in San Diego County found that patients waited an average of 3.5 hours before being treated in emergency departments and discharged. The results represent the first disclosure of countywide wait times for ED patients. San Diego Union-Tribune.
President Bush Vetoes Kids’ Health Insurance Legislation
As expected, President Bush on Wednesday vetoed compromise legislation that would have reauthorized the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and expanded funding by $35 billion. Congressional supporters of the bill will try to override the veto, but Republicans appear to have sufficient support in the House to sustain the veto. AP/Houston Chronicle et al.
TV Channel To Offer Health Benefits to Freelance Staff
E! Entertainment Television will begin providing health care benefits to freelance producers who work at least 200 consecutive days for the cable channel. The new policy is in response to employee complaints over the lack of health benefits. Los Angeles Times.
Poll: Clinton, Giuliani Most Trusted Candidates on Health Care Issues
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is the most trusted Democratic presidential candidate to address health care issues, while former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani holds that title among Republican presidential candidates, according to a new poll. Washington Post et al.
Kaiser Cuts Nurse Vacancies by Almost Half This Year
A shift toward internal recruiting operations at Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California unit has helped Kaiser reduce recruitment costs by 30% and hire more than 1,700 registered nurses and 203 pharmacists this year. San Francisco Business Times.
Chronic Diseases Cost Economy More Than $1.3 Trillion Annually
A new report finds that chronic conditions cost the U.S. economy more than $1.3 trillion annually in treatment and lost productivity. If trends continue, chronic diseases could cost the economy $6 trillion by 2050, according to the report. San Francisco Chronicle et al.