Latest California Healthline Stories
Report: Big Nurse Shortage Awaits San Joaquin Valley
San Joaquin Valley by 2020 will face a shortage of up to 20,000 nurses in part because the population will increase by 50%. Qualified students in the region are applying to nurse education programs, but only half are accepted because of a lack of instructors. Fresno Bee, Stockton Record.
New War Spending Measure Includes Health Care Funds
President Bush likely would veto the legislation, which — like an earlier measure that Bush vetoed — would increase funding for military health programs, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and other efforts. CongressDaily.
Veterans Affairs Chief To Lead Health Reform Effort
Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson told a Congressional panel that he would take the lead in adopting an appointed commission’s recommendations for improving the veterans’ health care system. AP/Houston Chronicle.
U.S. Senate Approves Bill on FDA Payments, Rx Drug Safety
The federal legislation would continue to charge pharmaceutical companies to pay for the FDA to review treatments. The measure also includes amendments on fines for drug makers for failure to revise labels or perform more testing, among others. Wall Street Journal et al.
Assembly Health Committee OKs Ban on Toxic Plastic
Opponents of the ban say that scientific evidence remains unclear about the risks of phthalates and that the chemical is used in such small doses in children’s products that it is harmless. Nonetheless, the bill won the minimum number of votes to pass out of committee. MediaNews/San Jose Mercury News.
Justice Department Makes 38 Arrests in Medicare Fraud Case
After a two month investigation, 38 people were arrested in South Florida and accused of bilking Medicare for more than $142 million by paying Medicare beneficiaries to use their cards in a fraudulent billing scheme. Miami Herald et al.
Counties Take Steps To Shore Up Local Health Care
A new health educator hired by San Luis Obispo County will write grants to seek private funds and coordinate local efforts aimed at reducing childhood obesity, while a panel in Solano County offered recommendations on reducing racial health disparities. San Luis Obispo Tribune, Vacaville Reporter.