Latest California Healthline Stories
Democratic Congress Expected To Ratchet Up FDA Oversight
At least two bills seeking to make changes to FDA operations are under consideration in the Senate, a week after agency officials kicked off their own efforts to shore up oversight of prescription drug safety. Baltimore Sun.
Appointee Brings Health Background to Administration
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s new deputy cabinet secretary has worked for a health consumer organization, as well as an insurance industry trade group. Office of the Governor.
Governor To Pitch Health Plan at State GOP Convention
Republican lawmakers anticipate a tempered reception for Gov. Schwarzenegger in part because of stiff opposition to elements of his health reform proposal that would increase fees for health care providers and offer insurance to children of undocumented immigrants. Contra Costa Times, Sacramento Bee.
Malpractice Reform a Dead Issue in Congress This Year
President Bush has called for tort reform at two appearances since raising the issue in his State of the Union address, but Congress under Democratic control is unlikely to pick up the issue. Chicago Tribune.
Docs Avoid Care Options They Oppose, Study Finds
Researchers said the study is part of an effort to determine how physicians’ moral beliefs affect health care at a time when many states have looked at legislation on doctors’ obligations to discuss all treatment options with patients. Washington Post et al.
Kaiser Doles Out $7 Million to Safety Net Providers
Public hospitals, clinics and other safety net providers will use the grants from Kaiser Permanente to fund projects focused on health information technology, quality improvement, and heart attack and stroke prevention. San Francisco Business Times.
More Than Half of Medicare Prescriptions Are Generics
CMS touts use of generic medications as a way for Medicare beneficiaries to avoid a gap in coverage under Medicare drug plans, and widespread use of generics also helps hold down the cost of the program. Wall Street Journal.
Businesses, Labor Groups Target Universal Health Care by 2012
A coalition including Wal-Mart and the Service Employees International Union will work to offer alternatives to an employer-based health insurance system in the U.S. and said it would convene a national summit on health care reform in May. Members of the group will seek to expand its membership and lobby lawmakers at all levels of government. Wall Street Journal et al.