Latest California Healthline Stories
Nonemergency Patients Do Not Affect ED Care for Others
The author of a study of emergency departments in Canada questions the idea that nonemergency cases are the main factor behind ED overcrowding. Houston Chronicle, Austin American-Statesman.
Technology Can Improve Disaster Response
Two simulated exercises were enacted in San Diego County to demonstrate how technology can help in disaster response. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Angelides Discusses Tax Proposal
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Phil Angelides said middle-income state residents pay a larger portion of state and local taxes while they also work to manage increasing costs for health care and other goods and services. Fresno Bee.
State Hearing To Address Workers’ Compensation
Medical treatment guidelines for workers’ compensation claimants will be discussed at a state hearing, as more claimants say they are experiencing treatment delays under the state workers’ compensation insurance system. Contra Costa Times.
Food Banks Push for Healthier Products
Food banks are re-evaluating the types of food they distribute and some are taking steps to provide more healthful food as the number of overweight and obese low-income people increases. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Insurer Provides Physician Price, Quality Data
Aetna has posted new information on its Web site that will allow some members to access price data for 30 common procedures for specific physicians. Washington Post.
Obesity Contributing to Medicare Spending Increases
The rate of obesity among Medicare beneficiaries more than doubled from 1987 to 2002, according to a study in Health Affairs. Gannett/USA Today.
Conference Examines Connections Among Genetics, Race, Health
KQED’s “The California Report” on Aug. 18 interviewed the director of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities’ Center of Excellence for Nutritional Genomics about a conference on genetics, race and health. Audio.
‘Scandal’ Raises Questions About Filipino Nurses
The Filipino Professional Regulation Commission has confirmed that hundreds of nursing school graduates who took Board of Nursing examinations in June received questions in advance. New York Times.
Editorial: Schwarzenegger Needs To Address Health Care
An editorial calls for Gov. Schwarzenegger to detail his health care plans before the November election, saying that he is “missing a golden opportunity” to address health care in California. San Jose Mercury News.