Latest California Healthline Stories
Maryland Democrats Offer Health Care Reform Bills
Sen. Benjamin Cardin introduced a bill that would require all uninsured U.S. residents to enroll in health plans, while Rep. Chris Van Hollen introduced a bill to allow states to negotiate discounts on prescription drugs for residents with no medication coverage and annual incomes less than 300% of the federal poverty level. Baltimore Sun.
Memo Documents King-Harbor’s Troubled History
A 2005 memo recently obtained by the Los Angeles Times highlights the beginning of a series of patient care violations at King/Drew Hospital in Watts that have led to a federal inspection this month to determine whether to close the facility, now known as King-Harbor Hospital. Los Angeles Times.
Schwarzenegger: Delay on Budget Could Hinder Health Care Reform
The budget stalemate likely will not be resolved until after the Assembly returns from recess on Aug. 20, cutting into the time available for lawmakers to forge deals on health care reform and other issues before they adjourn for the year. Sacramento Bee et al.
Governor Declares Emergency in Counties Hit by West Nile Virus
Gov. Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in three California counties where deaths related to West Nile Virus have been reported. The declaration will provide at least $1 million in aid to the counties to help fight the virus. AP/Los Angeles Daily News et al.
Federal Court: Washington, D.C., Cannot Control Rx Prices
The federal appeals court ruled that the Washington, D.C., law aimed at curbing prescription drug prices violates federal patent law. District officials said they do not think the ruling immediately will cause a drug price increase. Washington Post.
Santa Barbara County Health Data Project Proves Instructive
Health IT experts and people involved with the Santa Barbara County Care Data Exchange said it didn’t become the model regional health information organization that proponents envisioned in part because of a lack of data standards and privacy concerns. Government Health IT.