Latest California Healthline Stories
West Virginia Modifies Medicaid Program
West Virginia will ask Medicaid beneficiaries to sign a contract to try to stay healthy, attend recommended health improvement programs, seek routine medical checkups and screenings and attend all scheduled physician appointments, among other activities. New York Times.
Coalition Calls for Expanded Children’s Health Coverage
A measure to expand health coverage to all uninsured children would include children of undocumented immigrants, but Republican lawmakers continue to voice opposition to such a measure. Fresno Bee et al.
UC-Davis Medical Center Bans Drug Industry Gifts
The restrictions are the first in what should be a series of measures in the near future to prevent a marketing influence at the center. Academic medical centers nationwide have adopted similar policies. Sacramento Bee.
Workers Prefer PPOs, HMOs to Consumer-Directed Plans
Consumer-driven plans have lower premiums, but employees might favor PPOs or HMOs because they have significantly lower deductibles, according to the author of a new study. AP/Los Angeles Times.
California Healthline Highlights Recent Hospital News
Blue Cross reaches contract agreement with Bay Area hospital system; VA opens first freestanding military clinic in San Diego County.
HIV Testing Recommendations Raise Concerns
The California Medical Association is investigating whether legislation is needed to modify informed consent rules in California, so that medical providers can comply with CDC recommendations on HIV testing. Oakland Tribune.
Surgeon General Calls for Chronic Disease Prevention
Acting Surgeon General Kenneth Moritsugu said that high rates of obesity and smoking have contributed to a national “epidemic of chronic diseases” that threatens the health of residents. Indianapolis Star.