Latest California Healthline Stories
UC-Davis Pushing To Launch Public Health School
UC-Davis officials hope that the upcoming launch of the new state Public Health Department will prove advantageous for its proposal to build a graduate school of public health. Sacramento Business Journal.
Survey: Large Firms Plan To Retain Health Care Benefits
Executives at more than 400 large companies said they do not plan to stop offering workers health care benefits in the next three to five years, although some employers said they would seek to reduce costs of the benefits packages. AP/Houston Chronicle.
Debate on Single-Payer Health Care Heats Up in Legislature
Setting the stage for a possible showdown on health care reform, a Senate committee voted along party lines to green light legislation that would move California to a single-payer health care system and establish new taxes to cover its costs. However, chances for passage appear slim for that piece of the package, as GOP lawmakers have pledged to block new taxes. Ventura County Star.
UC Campuses Seek Boost in Funds for Mental Health
A university administrator is calling for higher student fees to help shore up mental health services at UC campuses, following up on a report presented to the Board of Regents last year that called for improvements to the system. San Francisco Chronicle.
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Late-Term Abortion Method
Lawsuits filed in California and Nebraska argued that the ban is unconstitutional because it doesn’t include an exception allowing the procedure if a woman’s health is at risk. The ruling is seen as a pivotal decision in the abortion rights debate. New York Times et al.
Personal Health Data Lost in UCSF Computer Theft
The computer server was stolen last month and included personal health data for some current or potential subjects for cancer research studies. The server also included Social Security numbers and other personal information. San Francisco Business Times, San Francisco Chronicle.
For-Profit Dialysis Centers Use Anemia Drug More Often
Increased use of the treatment could raise the risk for side effects in some patients, experts said. Authors of new research found that some for-profit centers are prescribing the treatment outside of recommended guidelines. Reuters/Los Angeles Times et al.
California Counties Await Ruling on Medicare Claim
The counties are threatening a lawsuit against the federal government seeking more than $2 billion in back payments because of a formula for Medicare reimbursements they say doesn’t fully account for the cost of living in some areas. KQED.
Assembly Committee Weighs Revisions to Autopsy Law
Medical examiners and coroners in California would face new disclosure requirements under a bill moving through the Assembly, but the California State Coroner’s Association and the state District Attorneys Association say the measure could hamper investigations. San Francisco Chronicle.
White House Threatens Veto of Medicare Drug Price Negotiations Bill
The administration of President Bush said allowing HHS to negotiate the price of medications with drug makers would be inefficient and raise obstacles to some treatments for Medicare beneficiaries. Prospects of the bill coming up for a vote appear slim. CongressDaily et al.