Latest California Healthline Stories
Revenue Estimate Dropped on Proposed Health Benefits Tax
Democrats restated their opposition to President Bush’s proposal to use tax incentives to encourage people to buy health insurance coverage after a Congressional committee said the plan would bring in more than $200 million less than expected. CongressDaily, Wall Street Journal.
Bay Area Doctors Early Adopters of Records System
Electronic health records systems typically cost physicians at least $20,000 to install, but a San Francisco company last week announced a deal with Google to offer the service at no cost. A local group of 500 physicians is the first to enroll. San Francisco Chronicle.
Medical Marijuana Advocates Lose Latest Round in Court
An appellate court in California ruled that U.S. citizens do not have a right to use marijuana to treat pain or extend their lives even if states have decriminalized use of the substance with a doctor’s recommendation. The case stems from California’s 1996 medical marijuana law. Los Angeles Times et al.
CalPERS Dings Health Care Firms in Annual Review
Tenet Healthcare and Eli Lilly are among the firms CalPERS invests in that the giant pension fund is faulting for lower-than-expected earnings and policies that it says reduce shareholders’ voice in operations. Both companies say reforms are under consideration. Los Angeles Times et al.
Feinstein Backs Continued Funds for Indian Health
California’s senior senator called on Congress to maintain funding for a program that operates Indian health centers in cities. AP/Palm Springs Desert Sun.