Latest California Healthline Stories
Using Antibiotics Increases Kids’ Asthma Risk, Study Finds
Researchers said the study demonstrates that exposure to some bacteria is necessary to develop a healthy respiratory system and called for doctors to prescribe narrow-spectrum antibiotics to young children before resorting to wide-spectrum therapies. New York Times.
Gender Disparities Exist in Diabetes Mortality Rates
A new study finds that while the mortality rate for men with diabetes decreased from the early 1970s to 2000, the mortality rate for women with diabetes increased. An editorial accompanying the study said the disparities could be caused by differences in heart disease treatment. Reuters/Boston Globe et al.
Large Number of Uninsured Threatens Texas Health Care
The large number of small businesses that do not offer health benefits to employees, low income-eligibility levels for Medicaid and a growing population have contributed to the state’s large proportion of uninsured residents. Texas has begun to take some steps to combat the problem. USA Today.
Dental Exam Requirement Drawing Mixed Response
Supporters of a state law that requires schools to ensure that all children entering the first grade have received a dental exam tout it as the first step toward expanded dental care, but critics fault it for not providing funding for dental services. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Community Health Centers Face Chronic Physician Shortage
The Bush administration since 2002 has increased funding to community health centers by $645 million. However, some health centers say the administration has not done enough to curb the shortage, adding that they are unable to compete with hospitals for medical staff. Washington Post.
Debate on Kids’ Insurance Centers on Federal Contribution
State officials are pushing to expand eligibility for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and lobbying for increased federal funding for the program, but President Bush is backing a more limited reauthorization plan. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Obama, Tommy Thompson Pitch Health Care Proposals
Democratic contender Sen. Barack Obama stumped for his prescription drug proposal, while Republican Tommy Thompson — a former HHS secretary and governor of Wisconsin — talked about the need for universal health coverage. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, Minneapolis Star Tribune.
U.S. Residents Seek Lower-Cost Dental Care in Mexico
Dental services in Mexico are a fraction of the cost of services in the U.S., drawing many U.S. residents without dental insurance to go abroad to see a dentist. Forty-five percent of Americans lack dental coverage. Washington Post.
Advisory Committee Pushes Medicare Payment Changes
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission recommended that Congress align payments for Medicare fee-for-service plans and Medicare Advantage plans to more effectively promote efficiency in the program. CQ HealthBeat, CongressDaily.
Interest Groups Vie for Influence in Health Care Reform Debate
Diverse groups of health care stakeholders in California have launched media campaigns advocating for an overhaul of the state’s health care system. Political analysts see the campaigns as efforts to sway negotiations in the Legislature this summer and get ahead of potential efforts to repeal health care reform legislation. San Diego Union-Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle.