Latest California Healthline Stories
Senators Oppose Confirmation of FDA Nominee
Senators from Louisiana and South Carolina plan to block the nomination of Andrew von Eschenbach unless FDA acts on specific concerns they have. New York Times.
Fewer Disparities Seen in Children’s Vaccination Rates
The overall vaccination rate among black children for the first time equals rates among white, Asian and Hispanic children, a CDC report finds. AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
County Must Reduce Workers’ Insurance Costs
A negotiator for Sacramento County said something must be done to reduce county workers’ health insurance premiums as about 4,000 workers try to retain fully paid health benefits. Sacramento Bee.
Most Medicare Beneficiaries Satisfied With Drug Benefit
Almost three-quarters of beneficiaries say Medicare drug plans cover the medications they need and nearly one-third say they no longer need to skip or reduce their medications, a survey finds. Cox/Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Schwarzenegger Signs Bill To Split Health Department
The legislation will create the Department of Public Health to oversee preparedness efforts for epidemics, natural disasters and bioterrorism. Sacramento Bee et al.
Report Critical of State Emergency Preparedness
A report by the state auditor found that funding disbursement policies could negatively affect emergency response and that it was unclear what role agencies including the Department of Health Services would take in responding to a disaster. State officials say they are addressing the issues. Los Angeles Times, Oakland Tribune.
Insurer Extends Deadline To Change Doctors
Secure Horizons, a PacifiCare health plan for seniors, will call members to tell them it has extended a deadline to switch doctors who are in a medical group that was recently sold to Kaiser Permanente. Ventura County Star.