Latest California Healthline Stories
New York City OKs Measure To Restrict Trans Fats
City health inspectors will examine the labels of ingredients restaurants use in their menu items, rather than test the foods themselves. Restaurants that violate the measure will receive fines of no less than $200 per violation. New York Times.
Group Seeks To Qualify Single-Payer Measure for Ballot
Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed legislation that would have created a state-run, single-payer health system, and Republicans likely would oppose such a plan. Nonetheless, Democrats are expected to reintroduce the measure. Los Angeles Daily News.
Hearing To Address Medicare Coverage for Anemia Drugs
Anemia treatments represent the largest medication expense for Medicare, in part because they have no generic competition. Medicare in 2005 spent $1.75 billion on the medications. The Hill.
HIV Clinic Could Lose NIH Funding
The Los Angeles County clinic each year treats about 3,000 patients per year, who participate in tests on new antiretroviral drugs and drug combinations. NIH does not plan to renew research grants for at least eight other clinics nationwide. Los Angeles Times.
Study Compares Health of Asian, Latino Immigrant Families
Asian and Latino immigrant groups after they first arrived in the U.S. drank fewer sodas and ate more fruits and vegetables than whites. After two generations, the health habits of Asian youths either equaled or surpassed those of whites in additional areas. Los Angeles Times.
Support Grows for Paid Sick Leave Requirements
Advocates for paid sick leave requirements for employees are seeking requirements in at least three states, as well as at the federal level. San Francisco in November became the first jurisdiction to require employers to provide paid sick leave to workers. New York Times.
Frist Hopes To Address Medicare Doctor Payments
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said that at least four different proposals to reverse the Medicare physician reimbursement reduction are under consideration. One proposal would reverse Medicare physician reimbursement reduction in 2007 but at least double the reduction in 2008 to cover the cost. CongressDaily et al.
Uninsured Pose Challenge to Public Hospitals
Public safety-net hospitals treat more than half of the state’s 6.7 million uninsured residents, but provisions of a new agreement for federal Medi-Cal funding could pressure some hospitals to reduce services, an editorial states. San Jose Mercury News.
NIH Scientist Charged With Conflict-of-Interest
Prosecutors allege that the scientist violated NIH rules that require disclosure of any income earned from outside activities and for travel expenses that are reimbursed by outside sources. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for Friday. Washington Post et al.
County Health Agency Considers New Oversight Committee
San Diego County supervisors will vote on whether to establish a committee to find new funding from state and federal programs for low-income patients, as well as lobby for expansions to existing programs. San Diego Union-Tribune.