Morning Breakouts

Latest California Healthline Stories

Survey: Number of Uninsured U.S. Adults Stands at Nearly 44 Million

New statistics from CDC found a significant increase in the number of nonelderly adults who lacked health insurance from 2005 to 2006, although the overall number of uninsured remained within the range documented over the past five years. Experts attribute the jump in uninsured adults to rising health care costs. AP/Long Island Newsday, Reuters/New York Times.

Medical Association Seeks Retail Clinic Investigations

The American Medical Association wants states and federal agencies to look into whether retail health clinics put patients’ health at risk. However, AMA will not seek a ban on retail clinics as some doctors had proposed. Chicago Tribune et al.

Move To Rein In Retiree Benefits Costs Drawing Fire

A former Assembly member touts the measure as a way for state and local governments to save $500 billion over 30 years, but labor unions say the need to take action on retiree benefits is being blown out of proportion. Los Angeles Daily News.

Coalition Touring California To Stump for Health Care Reform

The alliance of labor unions and advocacy groups is rallying voters to demand reforms to California’s health care system, in hopes of countering opposition lobbying efforts by the pharmaceutical and insurance industries. San Diego Union-Tribune et al.

San Francisco Gears Up for Roll Out of Health Access Program

Enrollment will begin at two locations next week, and San Francisco officials will kick off a wider enrollment effort in September. A group representing restaurants in the city is suing to block a provision that calls for mandatory employer contributions. San Francisco Examiner.

Stem Cell Agency Prepares To Name New President

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine plans to hire a senior statesman of science or industry to replace Zach Hall. The new leader could make an impact by developing a strategy for working with the private sector, Hall said. San Diego Union-Tribune.

Lawmakers Consider New Hospital Penalties for Patient Dumping

The California Hospital Association warns that charging hospitals with a crime for transporting patients somewhere other than their residence could force hospitals to close because they would lose government funding. The lawmaker carrying the bill disputes that claim. Sacramento Bee.

Hospital Districts’ Use of Tax Dollars Draws Concern

An elected official in San Diego County says the public must be more involved in the process by which the county’s hospital districts use taxpayer money for charitable services that are not related to the hospitals. San Diego Union-Tribune.

Drug Reimportation Debated Prior to Lawmaker Action

Some said that a bill that would allow reimportation from certain countries could allow the entry of counterfeit prescription drugs into the U.S. However, the legislation would require new tracking and identification technologies to combat counterfeit drugs. CongressDaily.