Latest California Healthline Stories
Hospital News Roundup for July 6
Sharp HealthCare nurses authorize strike; Children’s Hospital and Research Center misses deadline for retrofit plans
TB Patient’s Infection Less Serious Than First Thought
Andrew Speaker has multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, rather than extensively drug resistant TB as was previously announced when Speaker flew to Europe. CDC said that the less-severe diagnosis would not have changed the agency’s urgent response to Speaker’s travels. New York Times et al.
Assembly Committee Advances Single-Payer Health Care Proposal
The legislation, by Sen. Sheila Kuehl, already has earned approval in the Senate and now is making its way through the Assembly. Gov. Schwarzenegger last year vetoed a similar measure and has pledged to do the same with this new bill. Sacramento Bee et al.
Web Site Connects Pregnant Women With Providers
A recently launched Web site in Orange County lets patients search for providers and facilities based on various factors, including gender, practice size and insurance coverage. The site is expanding beyond the county, where the majority of providers are located. Orange County Register.
UC-Davis Expands Ban on Medical Vendors’ Gifts
Medical device companies that frequently provide technical assistance to surgeons in the operating room now will be subject to the ban, unless the assistance is necessary for patient care and approved by the medical school. Sacramento Bee.
Investigation Could Limit Pediatric Coronary Stent Use
A pediatric device company is being investigated for marketing stents that are not approved for regular use in children. FDA is not questioning the safety of the devices, but physicians are concerned that the case could make the devices even harder to obtain. Wall Street Journal.
Bill Would Revise Process of Requiring Immunizations
Under the bill, lawmakers no longer would have the authority to decide which vaccinations should be required. Opponents worry that lawmakers would be excluded from the approval process, while supporters say health officials, not lawmakers, should have the power to decide to require vaccines. Sacramento Bee.
Opinion Pieces Discuss Role of Health Care Documentary
Two separate opinion pieces call Michael Moore’s new documentary, “Sicko,” one-sided and biased but maintain that he gets the larger picture about the lack of access to quality care in the U.S. New York Times.