Latest California Healthline Stories
Survey: Nursing Home Costs Exceeding Average Salaries
The survey by a long-term care insurer found that California was the eighth-most-expensive state in the U.S. for nursing home care and that people with private long-term care insurance account for a small portion of the nursing home population. San Diego Union-Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle.
Foundation Pledges $500M To Fight Childhood Obesity
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s latest donation comes on top of $80 million that it has spent on the issue over the past few years. The foundation will use some of the money to target kids at high risk of developing obesity and related health problems. New York Times.
Justice Department OKs Paired Organ Donation
Concerns about violating a federal law intended to ban organ sales so far has made paired organ donations relatively rare, but the federal guidance could open the possibility for wider use of the procedure. Baltimore Sun.
Tenet Agrees To Settle Allegations of Medicare Fraud
The case stems from repercussions to shareholders for the hospital chain’s alleged overcharging of Medicare for some procedures between 1999 and 2002. Four former company officials — three of whom are based in California — also face charges. Los Angeles Times et al.
Federal Patent Suit Could Benefit State Stem Cell Agency
A federal office ruled in favor of research scientists and advocacy groups seeking to overturn patents they said could hinder stem cell research including projects funded by the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine. New York Times et al.
Prescription Drug Makers’ Lobbying Costs Hit Record High
A consumer advocacy group says that more than 1,000 agents lobbied Congress and President Bush’s administration on behalf of pharmaceutical companies and that drug makers’ legislative priorities consistently won support. The industry’s main trade group says the report mischaracterizes drug makers’ focus on expanding access to safe medications. Bloomberg/Chicago Tribune et al.
Law Could Expose Limited Access to Dental Care
Dentists say the law will provide data to help lawmakers determine the barriers to dental care and how much funding is necessary to increase dental services and awareness for low-income residents. East Bay Business Times.
Boost for Kids’ Insurance Program Should Be Goal
A Senate committee chair says that expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program should be a key focus of Congress this year as it considers legislation to reauthorize the program. Billings Gazette.
Lawmakers Seek To Expand Eligibility of Sick Leave
Two separate bills by Sen. Sheila Kuehl and Assembly member Sandré Swanson would extend eligibility of California’s paid and unpaid sick leave laws to include relatives such as grandparents and siblings. Sacramento Bee.
Governor Taps Leader of New State Public Health Department
Mark Horton is Gov. Schwarzenegger’s choice to head the new Department of Public Health, focusing on emergency preparedness and disease reduction. Horton currently is the state’s public health officer. Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal.