Latest California Healthline Stories
Hospital News Roundup for June 1
Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital plans staff training; Kaiser Permanente responds to Methodist Hospital’s petition on Sacramento County trauma center
Wisconsin Group Challenges Ruling on Stem Cell Patents
A California consumer advocacy group is one of the parties pushing for the reversal of patents held by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. The California group argues that the patents could hinder research funded by California’s stem cell agency. AP/Chippewa Herald et al.
Judge OKs Depositions in UnitedHealth Lawsuit
The lawsuit centers on company officials’ backdating of stock options, a move that came to light last year. Plaintiffs’ attorneys say depositions will help them establish why UnitedHealth officials signed off on the backdated options. Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Fresno County Tries To Keep Medi-Cal Funding Increase
Fresno County supervisors are considering either amending a proposal from federal health officials that would allow Community Medical Centers to maintain a county payment, or seeking a waiver to objections raised by CMS over the payment. Fresno Bee.
Ads Hit Airwaves Making the Case For, Against Health Care Reform
A broad coalition of health care stakeholders has kicked off a media campaign pushing for health care reform in California, a week after the state’s largest health insurer announced its opposing campaign. The pro-reform camp is not backing a specific proposal but is advocating generally for expanded health coverage. MediaNews/San Jose Mercury News, Sacramento Bee.
Dissent Among FDA Officials Likely at Rx Safety Hearing
The tension between the drug approval office and drug safety office has heightened in recent months, and some lawmakers have recommended that the offices split and that the safety office hold greater influence. New York Times.
L.A. Officials Push Greater Oversight of EMS Staff
Los Angeles fire department officials are responding to a Los Angeles Times investigation that uncovered cases in which fire departments were not reporting internal investigations and patient care problems to state regulators. Los Angeles Times.
Poll: 48% Back Legalized Physician-Assisted Suicide
The California legislature is debating a measure to approve the practice, after a similar effort failed last year. Oregon is the only state where physician-assisted suicide is permitted in the U.S. AP/Detroit News.