Latest California Healthline Stories
Drug Discount Plans Draw Criticism
Proposals for drug discount programs by Gov. Schwarzenegger and Democratic leaders in the Legislature face opposition from some advocacy groups who say the plans’ provisions could compromise quality of care for Medi-Cal beneficiaries and people with mental illnesses. San Francisco Chronicle.
ADHD Treatments Get Stronger Warnings
Officials for two drug makers said that the companies have added strengthened warnings about cardiovascular and psychological risks to the labels of their attention deficit hyperactivity disorder medications at the request of FDA. Bloomberg/Boston Globe et al.
Agreement Reached on Workers’ Compensation, Minimum Wage
Injured workers will be able to choose their own physicians for another two years under workers’ compensation legislation that Gov. Schwarzenegger has agreed to support. He also said he would support an increase to the state minimum wage, although a think tank says the increase would be inadequate to cover the cost of health insurance and basic needs. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Health Care Spending Expected To Affect U.S. Economy
Health spending in the U.S. is expected to account for a greater share of the gross domestic product as the population ages and more expensive medications and procedures are developed. New York Times.
Bush To Sign Executive Order on Cost, Quality Data
President Bush will sign an executive order to require government agencies to collect more information about the health care they provide. AP/Jackson Clarion-Ledger.
Proponents of Tobacco Tax Increase To Air Ad
An advertisement by supporters of an initiative to increase the state tobacco tax says that tobacco companies oppose the measure because it will reduce smoking rates and cites various health advocacy groups as sponsors of the measure. An analysis points out that hospitals have contributed the most to the campaign in favor of the measure. Sacramento Bee, KPBS.
More than 5,000 lawsuits have been filed over the hormone replacement therapy Prempro, with the first trial beginning in federal court in Arkansas. Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times et al.
Electronic Health Records Could Affect Costs, Markets
Some experts question whether the implementation of an electronic health records system will reduce U.S. health care costs. New York Times.
Single-Payer System Possible in California
Sen. Sheila Kuehl writes that legislation she is carrying would make health care available to all California residents in part by capping administrative expenses. Sacramento Bee.
Schools Work To Address Childhood Obesity
School districts have banned junk food from vending machines, added instruction on nutrition in curricula and begun to offer healthier lunch options as part of an effort to address childhood obesity. New York Times Magazine.