Latest California Healthline Stories
Sutter, Rite Aid Push Ahead With Retail Clinic Openings
Six new clinics set to open this year will provide treatment for common illnesses such as strep throat, earaches and the flu. Some people say retail clinics face more obstacles in California than in other states. Sacramento Bee.
San Francisco Agency Facing Scrutiny Over Elderly Neglect
A San Francisco official says inadequate staffing and a growing elderly population are complicating efforts to investigate abuse and neglect claims. The number of cases coming into the agency each month increased by about 150 from 2000 to 2006. San Francisco Chronicle.
Columnist Faults White House on Kids’ Insurance
Paul Krugman says that President Bush’s proposal to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program is giving rise to a larger debate about the future of the safety net in this country. New York Times.
Wal-Mart Launching Employee Wellness Program
Wal-Mart kicked off the program last month with a series of employee retreats intended to help workers pick a health or lifestyle goal that they can focus on. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Prison Contractor Demands Held Payments from State
Medical Development International in the motion says it informed federal receiver Robert Sillen that the company would withdraw from its contract if payment was withheld, but Sillen threatened to “make sure MDI never worked in California again” if it quit. Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times.
Federal, Local Officials Probe Deaths at VA Hospital
Recent deaths at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center have drawn increased security, room inspections for illicit drugs and random urine tests. The investigation comes in the wake of reported problems at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Los Angeles Times.
Assisted-Suicide Bill Elicits Commentary
An editorial says that a bill to legalize the practice includes adequate protections against pressure for people with terminal illnesses, while a columnist says opposition from a Roman Catholic official shows a clash of church and state. Los Angeles Times.