Latest California Healthline Stories
House OKs Compromise Rx Drug Safety, FDA Funding Legislation
The compromise legislation would reauthorize the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, which expires at the end of this month, and expand FDA’s oversight of prescription drug safety. The Senate is expected to pass the bill on Thursday, and President Bush likely will sign the measure. New York Times et al.
Panel Urges Overhaul of State Autism Services
Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disorder in the U.S., raising concerns about the quality and availability of social services for people with the condition. MediaNews/San Jose Mercury News.
Elizabeth Edwards Criticizes Clinton’s Health Care Plan
Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of presidential candidate and former Sen. John Edwards, said Hillary Rodham Clinton was the “last one out of the box with a health care plan” that is very similar to the plan offered by John Edwards. A Clinton spokesperson defended Clinton’s focus on health care. AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution et al.
Bay Area Senior Groups Help Immigrants Find Health Care
Fremont and other cities in the Bay Area have created programs aimed at helping seniors who recently immigrated to the U.S. find access to health care services. San Francisco Chronicle.
Dole, Shalala Urge Congress To Pass Veterans’ Health Bill
Former Sen. Bob Dole and former HHS Secretary Donna Shalala, co-chairs of a presidential committee, called on House lawmakers to approve legislation that would reform veterans’ health care. The Senate has passed a measure that is awaiting action in the House. Washington Times, AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Kaiser Hospitals Lead Efforts To Improve Patients’ Nutrition
Kaiser Permanente hospitals in California are among a growing number of hospitals nationwide working to improve patients’ health and nutrition by offering healthier foods, providing nutrition counseling and hosting farmer’s markets on site. Wall Street Journal.
Bill Pushes for Evaluation of Entitlement Funding
Senate Budget Committee leaders are calling for a 16 member commission to consider the long-term funding problems facing Medicare and other entitlement programs. The measure would require the commission’s recommendations to be introduced as legislation in the next session of Congress. CQ Today, CongressDaily.
Wal-Mart Unveils Plan To Overhaul Employee Health Care Insurance
The new plan aims to cut costs and expand benefits for employees. Experts say it is unclear how many of the 125,000 uninsured Wal-Mart employees will enroll but said that the plan will boost benefits for about 636,000 workers with coverage. New York Times et al.
Clinton Supports Employer-Sponsored Health Care
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s health care proposal would require large employers to offer health insurance to employees or contribute to a federal fund that would help workers purchase coverage. Meanwhile, fellow presidential candidate Rep. Dennis Kucinich recently criticized her proposal as “same old same old” and promoted his plan for a not-for-profit, single-payer health care system. Wall Street Journal et al.
Health Care Reform Options Draw Scrutiny in California
The president of the California Hospital Association says hospitals alone cannot finance health care reform and calls on other sources of revenue to step up, including employers and health plans. Meanwhile, an editorial contends that competing reform plans by Gov. Schwarzenegger and Democrats are both “workable and pragmatic.” Sacramento Bee et al.