Latest California Healthline Stories
Medical Schools To Receive $200M for Telemedicine
A portion of the telemedicine funds will be used to link the five University of California medical schools. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Physician Shortages Impacting Two Counties
Children enrolled in public health insurance programs in south San Mateo County can wait three to four months for an appointment with a physician because of a shortage of medical personnel and clinics. In San Luis Obispo County, the physician shortage is attributed to a high cost of living, among other factors. Oakland Tribune, San Luis Obispo County Tribune.
Drug Benefit Is ‘Working,’ PhRMA Official Says
Responding to an editorial that suggested the federal government be allowed to negotiate prices with pharmaceutical companies for the Medicare drug benefit, a vice president with the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers of America writes that changes to the program would hurt beneficiaries. Chicago Sun-Times.
Stem Cell Agency To Vote on Rules for Grant Recipients
For-profit groups that develop commercial products using grants from California’s stem cell research program would have to repay the state the grant money they received if the products reached certain revenue levels. An oversight subcommittee has approved the rules, and the full board will consider them next week. San Francisco Business Times, Los Angeles Times.
Editorial Responds to Decline in Medicaid Spending
State efforts to address Medicaid costs should be at least partly credited for the first decline in spending in the program’s history. Improved economic conditions and shifting some Medicaid costs to Medicare also contributed to the decline. USA Today.
Experts attribute the slower growth rate of Medi-Cal to a stronger economy and stricter administrative rules for coverage, but some independent experts question reports that Medicaid spending nationwide actually has declined. Los Angeles Daily News, Contra Costa Times.
FDA found shortcomings in quality assurance, inventory management, control of nonconforming blood products, donor screening and blood component manufacturing. The inspection found that FDA violated blood-safety laws and the terms of a 2003 consent decree. South Florida Sun-Sentinel et al.
Analysts Skeptical of Governor’s Health Care Reform Goals
With the state facing a $5.5 billion budget deficit, observers question where funding would come from to extend coverage to California’s 6.7 million uninsured residents. Reuters, San Francisco Chronicle.
Drug Discount Program Launches in California
Wal-Mart has expanded its generic drug discount program to include its California pharmacies after Target stores expanded its competing program nationwide. Some groups say that the implications of the programs might be most pronounced for independent pharmacies. Sacramento Bee, Stockton Record.
Public Health Officials Emphasize Preconception Care
Some experts say that preparing for a healthy pregnancy can require behavioral changes that take months. CDC recommendations highlight the importance of family planning and encourage young people to develop a “reproductive life plan.” New York Times.