Latest California Healthline Stories
FDA To Revise Recommended Dosage for Blood Thinner
A revision to the label for warfarin will recommend a lower initial dose for patients with certain genetic variations. An FDA official said that the agency has significant evidence to support the revised label for warfarin and predicted that the label would improve the safety of the medication. Wall Street Journal.
Blue Shield Chief Touts Mandatory Health Coverage
Bruce Bodaken — chair, CEO and president of Blue Shield of California — writes that requiring Californians to buy health insurance, while mandating that insurers cover all applicants would help control health care cost increases and reduce the number of uninsured in the state. San Francisco Chronicle.
Orange County Increases Retirees’ Health Care Costs
The move to cut retiree medical coverage seeks to combat the county’s projected $1.4 billion shortfall, but some retirees could see their monthly health care premiums nearly double. Los Angeles Times.
Editorial Urges Permanent Closure of King-Harbor
A Los Angeles Times editorial characterizes the report revoking federal funds for King-Harbor Hospital in Los Angeles as an indictment of the way the county is governed, while several broadcast programs weigh the implications of the closure for the county emergency medical system. Los Angeles Times et al.
Few Drop CalPERS Long-Term Care Coverage After Fee Hike
The clear majority of policyholders who buy long-term care insurance through CalPERS retained their coverage after a more than 33% premium increase. CalPERS is the nation’s largest provider of long-term care insurance. Sacramento Bee.
Governor’s Campaign for Budget Accord Continues in Riverside
Gov. Schwarzenegger toured a rehabilitation center that relies on Medi-Cal provider payments for about one-third of its budget, saying that the ongoing budget deficit is making it hard for the facility to keep its doors open. Both Schwarzenegger and a Republican senator say lawmakers are nearing a budget deal. KESQ.com, Riverside Press-Enterprise.
FDA Warns Against Young Children’s Use of Cold Meds
The FDA in a new public health advisory said that there are concerns about the safety of over-the-counter cough medications and that it is unclear whether the benefits of the products justify their use in young children. New York Times et al.
San Joaquin Valley Clinics Reopen With Emergency Loans
Loans from Health Net of California and an anonymous donor will help the clinics stay open until mid-September. Clinics statewide are having problems covering costs while some Medi-Cal provider payments are being withheld during the state budget impasse. Fresno Bee, NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
Drug Industry’s Spending on Marketing Continues To Increase, Study Finds
A new study finds that overall spending on drug advertising increased from $11.4 billion in 1996 to almost $30 billion in 2005. Researchers say evidence indicates that regulation of the advertisements is lacking, pointing to a sharp decline in the number of ads reviewed. Reuters/Newark Star-Ledger.
Rep. Hastert Likely Will Not Seek a 12th Term in 2008
The former Speaker of the House is expected to announce on Friday that he will not run for a 12th congressional term. Rep. Dennis Hastert played a significant role in expanding private market alternatives in health care coverage, including health savings accounts and passing the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Wall Street Journal, CQ Today.