Latest California Healthline Stories
Cultural Differences Affect End-of-Life Care, Panel Says
California health care providers face growing challenges discussing end-of-life care options with an increasing group of ethnically diverse patients. Physicians must take into account cultural attitudes about death and the family’s role in making health care decisions. New America Media.
Obama Ready To Unveil Universal Coverage Plan
Under the presidential candidate’s plan, all U.S. residents would be required to obtain health care coverage. Those who cannot afford health insurance would pay for coverage on a sliding scale based on their annual incomes. Des Moines Register et al.
Proximity to Rail Yards Ups Cancer Risk, Study Finds
Southern California residents criticized the state reports for not examining the effect on rates of asthma and other respiratory diseases from the rail yards, but California regulators said state law only mandates that cancer risks be studied. Los Angeles Times.
Blue Cross Earmarks $2 Million To Fight Health Reform Plans
Blue Cross of California is the lone insurer to publicly oppose overhaul proposals by Democratic leaders and Gov. Schwarzenegger, with company officials calling for lawmakers to drop efforts to rework the insurance market. AP/San Jose Mercury News et al.
Judge Widens Order To Raise Mental Health Workers’ Pay
A judge expanded his ruling this week to require pay raises not only for psychiatrists but also for other mental health personnel treating inmates, but questions remain about how the state will comply with the ruling and how many staff members will get raises. Los Angeles Times.
Sen. Clinton Unveils Proposal To Reduce Health Care Costs
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton says the initiative would be the first phase of a wider effort to rework the health care system if she were elected president. The plan calls for efforts to reduce preventable diseases and adopt electronic health records. New York Times et al.
Report Makes Case for FDA To Regulate Tobacco Products
The Institute of Medicine is calling for new rules for marketing tobacco products, wider smoking bans and rules that would require insurers to cover smoking cessation programs. Congress is weighing measures that would give FDA regulatory authority over tobacco. CQ HealthBeat et al.