Morning Breakouts

Latest California Healthline Stories

Satisfaction With Medicare Hot Line Declines, Poll Finds

Researchers found a customer satisfaction rate of 71%, down 13% when compared with a similar study conducted in 2004. The report by the HHS Office of Inspector General called on CMS to review the automated system and possibly simplify it, and assess whether more staff should be hired. AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution et al.

President Bush Signs Stopgap Spending Measure Into Law

The continuing resolution will fund at current levels the budgets of Cabinet departments and government agencies until Nov. 16. The measure was necessary because none of the 12 annual appropriations bills has been signed into law. AP/Houston Chronicle et al.

VA Plans Clinic, Nursing Home for San Joaquin Valley

The Department of Veterans Affairs will renovate a VA hospital in the San Joaquin Valley and develop a continuing care retirement community with assisted living, rehabilitation and other services for veterans. Plans also include an outpatient clinic on the site. Modesto Bee.

Bipartisan Consensus Needed for California Health Reform

Mark Baldassare, president of the Public Policy Institute of California, argues that California voters are more likely to support a health care reform plan by Gov. Schwarzenegger and Democrats if both sides appear united and if the plan reflects the public’s interests. Sacramento Bee.

Bush Approves FDA User Fee, Drug Safety Bill

The bill will raise by 25% the user fees that pharmaceutical companies pay FDA to lower approval times. The measure also addresses drug safety and advertising, postmarket studies, clinical trials and conflicts of interest. AP/Long Island Newsday.

Stopgap Spending Bill Wins Approval in U.S. Senate

President Bush has until the start of the fiscal year on Oct. 1 to sign the bill, which would fund federal departments until Nov. 16. The bill was required because none of the 12 annual appropriations bills has been signed into law. AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution et al.

GOP Debate Weighs Minority Health Care, Related Issues

Six Republican candidates called for a wide range of changes to the health care system in a debate focused on issues important to minority voters. The four leading Republican candidates did not participate in the debate. Baltimore Sun et al.