Latest California Healthline Stories
County Votes To Appeal Medical Marijuana Ruling
San Diego County will appeal a ruling last week that counties would not violate federal law by issuing identification cards for people who have a physician’s recommendation to use marijuana. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Most Employers Plan To Retain Drug Benefits
About 8% of businesses surveyed — nearly the same group of businesses that eliminated retiree drug coverage in 2006 — said they will not provide drug coverage for Medicare-eligible retirees in 2007, according to a survey. AP/Houston Chronicle et al.
Editorial: Drug Price Negotiation a Worthy Objective
Democrats are expected to seek to pass a bill to require HHS to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies on the prices of medications under the Medicare drug benefit, but the pharmaceutical industry likely will mount a steep opposition to the measure. San Jose Mercury News.
Medi-Cal Director Agrees To Remain in Position
Stan Rosenstein was planning to step down to open a branch of a national consulting firm in Sacramento. A San Francisco Chronicle editorial says that any health care reform plans should avoid broad goals that could deter efforts to expand children’s health coverage and other reform efforts. Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle.
California Healthline Highlights Recent Hospital News
Children’s Hospital Oakland adopts pay-for-performance compensation model for some physicians; Sacramento City Council approves plan for hospital expansion
Age-adjusted breast cancer incidence decreased by 7% by the end of 2003, compared with 2002. The decrease is the largest since 1990. New York Times et al.