Latest California Healthline Stories
Staffing Shake-Up Continues at Army Hospital
The new administrator of Walter Reed Army Medical Center is charged with helping streamline service members’ access to services, while lawmakers are examining whether problems at the facility are prevalent throughout the military health system. Washington Post et al.
White House Late in Responding to Report on Health Care Reform
A federal panel submitted recommendations for changes to the health care system in September 2006, and President Bush’s response was due 45 days later. HHS officials say they are completing the president’s answer to the report. The Hill.
Medical School Brings Lawsuit Against L.A. County
Los Angeles County is being hit with a lawsuit by a local medical school over an alleged breach of contract, in the same week that the board of supervisors voted to raise additional funds for trauma care and resolve a lawsuit challenging a county ordinance intended to curb the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Los Angeles Times, AP/Contra Costa Times.
Cost of Running Hospital Hits San Mateo County Hard
The county auditor has recommended shutting the county hospital and contracting with other facilities to treat indigent patients, a move he says could save the county almost $25 million annually. San Francisco Examiner.
Chiropractic Board Stirs Controversy for Lawmakers, Officials
California’s regulatory board for chiropractors has dismissed the board’s executive director and approved a controversial chiropractic technique that state regulators previously rejected, while trying to replace an assistant attorney general as its legal counsel. Sacramento Bee.
Memo Calls for Changes to Treatment of Brain Injuries
Recommendations to the Pentagon advocate more research into traumatic brain injury and better protective gear to minimize service members’ risk of such injuries in combat. USA Today.
CMS Investigating Referral of High-Cost Medicare Drug Cases
A prescription drug plan with comprehensive coverage of brand-name medications says it ended up with more high-cost beneficiaries than expected in part because Humana referred its members with high bills to the plan. The more expansive plan will be discontinued. The Hill.
Congress Puts Reimportation Back on the Table
FDA and the prescription drug industry remain opposed, but lawmakers in the Senate and House are pushing bills to set up a framework for bringing in lower-cost medications from other countries. CQ HealthBeat et al.