Latest California Healthline Stories
State Reaches Settlement on Warning for Food Products
KFC is the first company to settle a 2005 case brought under California’s antitoxics law. Two other fast food chains are in settlement talks with the state. Los Angeles Times.
Shortage of Therapists Puts Strain on College Students
Some campuses of the University of California and California State University are operating mental health counseling services that fall below the acceptable ratio of therapists to students. The growing student demand for services conflicts with a shortage of mental health professionals statewide. Sacramento Bee.
War Spending Bill With Health Care Funds Goes to Bush
The Senate approved a measure to pay for the war in Iraq that includes funding for veterans’ health care and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. The House already approved the bill, but President Bush has pledged to veto it. AP/Winston-Salem Journal et al.
AARP Opens National Media Campaign on Health Care
The powerful advocacy group says it will demand that presidential candidates from both parties address health care and financial security issues in the 2008 election. AARP is staging a similar effort focused on health care reform in California. Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Senators Introduce Bill To Expand Kids’ Insurance Program
The measure before Congress would raise the federal income eligibility guidelines for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and modify the formula used to calculate the federal government’s contribution to state programs. It could cost $50 billion over five years. CongressDaily et al.
Regulators Need To Issue Fines in Nursing Home Cases
An editorial calls for Congress to demand that federal officials close facilities that regularly provide low-quality care to nursing home residents and encourage participation in voluntary quality programs. Boston Globe.