Latest California Healthline Stories
San Mateo County Mulls Options for Indigent Care
San Mateo County's civil grand jury called for the county to form a plan for providing health care services to the uninsured by May 2008 and resolve questions about eligibility for subsidized care and what services the county will subsidize. Oakland Tribune.
Federal Health Spending Bill Lacks Veto-Proof Majority
The House is expected to approve a Labor-HHS-Education spending bill, but lawmakers do not believe it has sufficient support to withstand a veto from President Bush. The legislation would increase spending above Bush’s request for FY 2008. CongressDaily.
Doctors Unprepared for New Medicaid Rx Pad Rules
A new law requires pharmacists beginning Oct. 1 to reject prescriptions not written on tamper-resistant pads. The law aims to combat forged prescriptions and save the government money, but most doctors are not aware of the law and do not use the pad. AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Across-the-Board Cuts Proposed To Expedite California Budget Deal
The Legislature is two weeks past the deadline to approve a state budget, prompting Senate Republicans to call for overall cuts. A Republican analysis of the Democrats’ spending plan questions $35 million in the Medi-Cal budget. San Diego Union-Tribune, MediaNews/San Jose Mercury News.
Edwards Pitches Universal Health Care on Poverty Tour
Former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.), who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, said his plan to end U.S. poverty within 30 years includes creating a universal health care system. Some question whether Edwards’ focus on poverty “will resonate politically.” New York Times, Lexington Herald-Leader.
Internship Helps Former Nurses Re-Enter Profession
The part-time, paid internship allows former nurses to update their clinical skills and train to re-enter the field as a hospice or home care nurse. The program seeks to reduce a growing shortage of nurses. Ventura County Star.
Medicare Task Force Marks Third Fraud Conviction This Year
The newly formed task force identified a pharmacist who dispensed products not needed by Medicare beneficiaries to illegally obtain payments from the federal government. Investigators say that "policing" the entire Medicare system will be difficult. Washington Post.
Survey Finds Medical Errors Increase Stress for Doctors
Only 10% of doctors participating in the survey said hospitals provided adequate help after a medical error, compared with 61% who said job-related stress increased after an error. AP/San Jose Mercury News.
Stanislaus County Seeks Outside Help for Clinics
Stanislaus County is moving ahead with plans to hire consultants to help reduce a growing deficit at county clinics. The county has been hit with multimillion dollar deficits for the clinics for several years. Modesto Bee.
President Bush Vows To Veto Kids’ Health Insurance Bill
Legislation to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program by $35 million over five years would lead to “less quality care and rationing over time,” President Bush said. While Bush said he supports the program's initial intent, he is concerned that increasing eligibility would prompt consumers to drop private health coverage. Baltimore Sun et al.