Latest California Healthline Stories
Voters Push Health Care Reform Onto Center Stage
Many presidential candidates are offering plans to overhaul the health care system, signaling that health care will be an important 2008 election issue. While the players’ approaches are vastly different, they all acknowledge health costs as an urgent problem. New York Times.
Trauma Designations Planned for San Luis Obispo
The county’s Emergency Medical Services Agency since 2004 has led a task force with local emergency service providers to create a trauma system plan for the county that includes awarding hospitals trauma center designations. San Luis Obispo Tribune.
Delay in Approval of Cancer Drug Sparks Heated Debate
In response to FDA’s decision to withhold approval of Provenge, which has been called a ‘cancer vaccine,’ patients and advocacy groups have launched lobbying efforts to reverse the decision, including a letter-writing campaign and a Capitol Hill rally. Washington Post.
Group Calls for Probe of Riverside County Mental Health Center
Riverside County’s National Alliance for the Mentally Ill plans to investigate the county’s mental health inpatient facility after a grand jury report found 33 problems that led to crowding and substandard care and safety for patients. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
High-Deductible Plans Spell Higher Costs for Women
Research indicates that women enrolled in high-deductible health plans might have potentially higher out-of-pocket costs than men. A study found that in 2006, health costs for working-age women averaged about $1,844, compared with $847 for men. Dow Jones.
State Adds Cystic Fibrosis Test to Newborn Screening
California officials hope the test will enable physicians to diagnose cystic fibrosis earlier and expedite treatment. The test can identify common mutations of the disease in minorities, whereas most tests can detect the disease only in whites. Contra Costa Times.