Latest California Healthline Stories
Supreme Court Declines To Hear Electronic Records Suit
The lawsuit challenged a rule under HIPAA that allows health care providers to decide whether to seek patients’ consent before using or disclosing medical information electronically for routine purposes. AP/Philadelphia Inquirer.
New York To Receive $1.5B To Address Hospital Industry
To receive the funds, HHS will require the state to meet targets for reducing the use of hospitals and increasing the use of Medicaid managed care plans. New York Times.
Candidates Vie To Be Insurance Commissioner
Six candidates have entered the race for insurance commissioner, and the Republican and Democratic nominees declined contributions from insurance interests. Los Angeles Times.
U.S. Scientists Win Nobel Prize for Medicine
Researchers from Stanford and the University of Massachusetts Medical School share the prize for their work on a technique that has been used to study the function of genes and has been tested as a treatment for viral infections, heart disease and cancer. AP/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
A new policy prohibits physicians at Stanford University Medical Center from accepting gifts or drug samples from drug company representatives, and the University of California-Davis Medical Center is considering similar proposals. San Jose Mercury News, Sacramento Bee.
County To Implemented Medi-Cal Managed Care Plan
Medi-Cal beneficiaries in San Luis Obispo County will be required to enroll in a managed care plan beginning in January 2008. San Luis Obispo Tribune.
Hearing Addresses Concerns About Egg Donation
The California Institute of Regenerative Medicine convened a panel with national research organizations to evaluate what risks might await women who donate eggs to stem cell research projects funded by California’s voter-approved program. Contra Costa Times et al.
Schwarzenegger Signs, Vetoes Medi-Cal Legislation
Bills addressing Medi-Cal applications for juveniles in detention facilities and coverage of some home infusion therapy treatments won Gov. Schwarzenegger’s approval, while he vetoed a measure on charges for adult day health care services. Office of the Governor.
State Insurance Mandate Excludes Children
A Massachusetts state agency has asked the Legislature to modify a state law that requires state residents to maintain health insurance coverage to expand the requirement to children. It currently applies only to residents ages 18 and over.
Competition among drug makers is limited because the majority of cancer drugs cannot be substituted for one another. New York Times.