Latest California Healthline Stories
Nicholson Announces Resignation as Veterans Affairs Chief
Jim Nicholson said he would return to the private sector after a two-year tenure at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that was hit by concerns about the quality of VA medical services and an unexpected budget shortfall. AP/Philadelphia Daily News et al.
Governor, Democrats Likely To Compromise on Reform Plan
Gov. Schwarzenegger and Democratic lawmakers seem to agree that the stakes and expectations for reaching a consensus on a health care overhaul plan this year are too high to let differences get in the way. However, threats of lawsuits and ballot referendums demonstrate that any final agreement is vulnerable and could be struck down. Wall Street Journal.
California Officials Postpone Hearing on Blue Cross Complaints
The hearing will consider whether Blue Cross of California has violated the 2004 agreement with the state that gave the green light to the merger of its parent company with Anthem. The state has received about 1,600 complaints against Blue Cross since the merger. Los Angeles Times.
Battle Over Kids’ Insurance Bodes Badly for Broader Reform
Opposition to the plan in the U.S. Senate to reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program hints at the difficulty facing broader efforts to overhaul health care, especially as Republicans and Democrats gear up to campaign on the issue in 2008. Reuters et al.
Top 25 Medical Advances Since 1982 Ranked
The list of the top 25 medical developments includes the U.S. government’s decision in 1982 to make AIDS the formal name for the disease formerly called gay-related immune deficiency, or GRID. USA Today.
Study: Older Diabetes Drugs as Safe, Cheaper Than New Treatments
Researchers found a benefit to taking newer diabetes drugs only in cases where a patient was unable to tolerate older medications. Otherwise, the study found that older, less expensive drugs work just as well as new treatments. AP/Houston Chronicle, ABC’s "World News."
VA Secretary Pledges To Add More Mental Health Services
In response to an increased demand for mental health services from Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, the department will spend $37.7 million to place psychiatrists, psychologists and other mental health professionals in primary care clinics. CongressDaily et al.
Seismic Safety Law Delaying Hospital Construction Plans
Compared with other states, a new hospital in California can take twice as long to design, plan and construct because state regulators oversee the process to ensure that facilities meet new seismic safety standards. San Diego Union-Tribune, San Francisco Business Times.
Halving Premiums Would Cut Uninsured by 3%, Study Finds
Based on California data, the RAND study suggests that price is not the only consideration in purchasing health insurance. Researchers found that reducing deductibles by 20% would increase the likelihood of the uninsured purchasing insurance by less than 0.5%. USA Today.
Senate Panel To Discuss Bill To Let FDA Oversee Tobacco
The legislation, introduced by Sen. Edward Kennedy, would give FDA the power to regulate tobacco products. The bill is expected to be approved by the committee but faces resistance from both sides in the full Senate. AP/Baltimore Sun et al.