Latest California Healthline Stories
President Vetoes War Spending Measure With Health Care Funds
Congressional leaders will meet with President Bush to begin discussions for a compromise bill, after he followed through with his pledged veto because the legislation included a timetable for withdrawing troops from Iraq. The measure would have boosted funds for veterans’ health care, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and other health care efforts. CQ Today et al.
Clinics To Dispense Ozone-Friendly Asthma Inhalers
A pharmaceutical company is donating inhalers that do not use a chemical that damages the earth’s atmosphere to 850 clinics nationwide, including 100 in California. A federal ban on the chemical in inhalers will take effect in 2009. Los Angeles Times.
UC-Berkeley Expands Mental Health Training Program
About 600 people have completed the training, and the university is developing an online program and symposium to expand the number of certified participants. The campus is focusing on graduate students and Asian-American students, whose symptoms may go unnoticed. San Francisco Chronicle.
Schwarzenegger Says Health Care Reform Will Happen This Year
Gov. Schwarzenegger told AARP members that he is “very persistent” and guaranteed a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s health care system during the current legislative session. Democratic leaders of the Legislature, who also have their own health care proposals, were not invited to the meeting. San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Weekly.
Lawmakers Anticipate Medicare Changes To Strengthen Finances
Democrats in Congress and President Bush are at odds over strategies to extend the long-term solvency of Medicare, with Democrats pushing Medicare payment cuts to insurers, while Bush backs lower reimbursements for doctors. Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Dallas Morning News.
Senate Begins Debate on User Fees for FDA Review
The bill would increase funds for FDA to review applications for medications and would require the agency to boost oversight of treatments after they enter the market. Republicans likely will seek to remove some provisions of the legislation. AP/Dallas Morning News et al.
Reimbursements a Factor in Vaccine Recommendations
Pediatricians are particularly affected by insurers’ policies on reimbursements for vaccines because of the large number of vaccines administered to children. Doctors say payment often does not cover the cost of buying, administering and stocking the vaccine. Washington Post.
Health Net Reports Higher Earnings, Issues Warning
The insurer said that membership had declined during the first quarter of 2007 but that earnings and revenue nonetheless had increased. Health Net officials said the numbers for the second quarter could fall short of expectations. Los Angeles Business, AP/Houston Chronicle.
Report: Air Quality Low in Almost Half of California Counties
The American Lung Association’s annual report places California counties among the 25 worst nationwide in the level of particle pollution. Research has linked such pollution to higher incidences of heart disease, lung cancer and asthma. Long Beach Press-Telegram et al.
Senate Considers New Mental Health, Brain Centers for Veterans
San Diego Naval Medical Center could be the site of new facilities specializing in treatment for mental illnesses and brain injuries proposed in a bill currently before Congress. California Sen. Barbara Boxer is a cosponsor of the legislation. San Diego Union-Tribune.