Latest California Healthline Stories
Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces $499M Federal Settlement
The proposed settlement covers an investigation into alleged overbilling of Medicare and Medicaid through inflating average wholesale prices, according to a company spokesperson. Newark Star-Ledger et al.
Speaker’s Proposal Calls for Coverage of All Workers, Children
Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez’s plan is similar to a proposal last week by Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata that requires employers to offer coverage or pay into a state fund that will negotiate coverage for workers. However, Perata’s plan does not extend coverage to all children, while Nuñez would extend coverage to all children, including undocumented immigrant children. Sacramento Bee et al.
Teen Use of Illicit Drugs Decreases, Survey Finds
Recreational use of prescription and nonprescription medications among U.S. teenagers remains relatively high, a survey finds. Washington Post, et al.
Popularity of Rx Sales Reps Declining
Pharmaceutical sales representatives are no longer being as welcomed into physician offices. Raleigh News & Observer.
Standards Group To Adopt, Maintain EHR Data Format
The electronic health record data format is expected to reduce costly redundancies in clinics and improve the electronic reporting of lab results. Health IT Strategist.
Health Care Expansion ‘Top Priority’ for Governor
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s opposition to raising taxes to pay for health care expansion could hinder his efforts to attain a bipartisan agreement. Wall Street Journal.