Latest California Healthline Stories
Court Will Rehear Case on Access to Experimental Medications
The lawsuit asked FDA to provide a special initial approval to experimental medications that appear effective, but FDA said that programs currently exist to provide experimental medications to terminally ill patients and that increased access to such treatments would lead to unacceptable risk. Dow Jones/Wall Street Journal et al.
Program Offers Assistance to Low-Income Diabetics
Participation in a diabetes management program can cost less than medication and regular checkups, according to a coordinator of the program in San Diego County. About half of program participants are uninsured. San Diego Union-Tribune.
State Loan to Stem Cell Agency Approved
Lawsuits challenging the agency’s right to receive state funds for stem cell research have prevented the state from issuing bonds that state voters approved in 2004 under Proposition 71. Gov. Schwarzenegger ordered the state loan in July. Los Angeles Times et al.
‘Doughnut Hole’ Affects Most Medicare Beneficiaries
Nearly half of all Medicare beneficiaries, or 10.9 million people, in 2006 are enrolled in plans that make them responsible for 100% of costs if they reach the doughnut hole, a study found. Oakland Tribune.
Law Outlines Charity Care Rules
Under the new law, hospital charges for patients whose incomes are below a certain level cannot exceed Medicare rates. A recent report found that some hospitals do not have charity care policies on file. Oakland Tribune.
Access to Health Care for California Residents Debated
KPCC’s “AirTalk” examines developments in access to health care in the U.S. and California, including Gov. Schwarzenegger’s 2007 health care agenda, America’s Health Insurance Plan’s proposal for expanding coverage and a Massachusetts law that requires uninsured residents to purchase coverage. Audio.
Hospital Infections Often Result From Poor Hygiene
Researchers attributed an increase in the number of hospital-acquired infections partly to better reporting, while another study found that the severity of the effects of an infection could not be attributed to the severity of a patient’s illness at admission. Washington Post et al.
Healthy Kids Provides Coverage for Uninsured Children
County initiatives such as Healthy Kids have been successful in raising funds to expand coverage to uninsured children. Eureka Reporter.
Documentary Considers Effects of Longer Life Spans
A PBS documentary finds that residents who live longer often develop chronic illnesses and experience a “protracted” physical decline that requires “an immense amount of care” at a time when the number of available caregivers continues to decrease. PBS’ “Frontline.”
Democrats Likely To Seek Health Insurance Expansion
One proposal would provide tax credits to companies with as many as 100 employees to help purchase health insurance for employees. Other proposals likely will address patent protections for medications. Wall Street Journal et al.