Latest California Healthline Stories
Medicare Billing Suits Tentatively Dismissed
The rulings are a second round of dismissals of cases brought by consumer advocate Erin Brockovich this summer. Brockovich said she would appeal the rulings. Los Angeles Times.
High Blood Sugar Causes Heart, Stroke Death
Scientists estimate than in addition to the 960,000 diabetes deaths each year, raised blood sugar levels are responsible for 1.5 million deaths from heart disease and 700,000 deaths from stroke. Washington Post, Reuters.
FDA Might Expand Access to Experimental Medications
The proposals do not include significant changes to the current system or call for changes advocated by some patient advocates. Wall Street Journal.
Parental Notification Supporters Consider Future Efforts
California voters for the second consecutive year rejected a measure that would require physicians to notify a minor’s parents 48 hours before performing an abortion. Sacramento Bee.
Governor Expected To Collaborate With Legislature on Health Care
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s health care reform proposal for California could include aspects of a Massachusetts law that requires state residents to maintain health insurance coverage. San Diego Union-Tribune.
UnitedHealth Officials To Return Stock Options
The $390 million in stock options that two company officials agreed to return is the largest sum returned to a company under scrutiny for backdating options awards. Wall Street Journal et al.
Democrats Expected To Address Health Care
Democrats could seek to push for health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers to cut their share of drug revenue and cover treatment for mental health parity. USA Today et al.
Los Angeles Considers Suing Hospitals for Patient Dumping
The state Legislature passed a law that prohibits patient dumping within city boundaries, but it will not take effect until January 2007. In the meantime, the accused hospitals could face violations for unfair business practice or criminal charges, such as false imprisonment. Los Angeles Times.
Hospital Revenue Accounts for Half of UC Pay Increases
Payments above base salaries and overtime increased for University of California employees last year, when more than $1 million in payments related to health sciences were paid to senior-level managers. San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times.
Insurance Commissioner-Elect Sets Goals
Steve Poizner said that he would like to hire additional fraud investigators and support legislation to make the office nonpartisan. Poizner and Gov. Schwarzenegger were the sole Republicans who won top statewide elections yesterday. Los Angeles Times.