Morning Breakouts

Latest California Healthline Stories

Nuñez: Lawmakers Must Work To Expand Health Care

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez calls for health insurance to be extended to all California children and asks the governor to sign legislation to expand Healthy Kids programs. San Francisco Chronicle.

Supporters, Opponents Debate Effect of Tobacco Tax Measure

Supporters of a tobacco tax increase to fund health care say increasing taxes on cigarettes will reduce smoking, but opponents say the initiative could increase cigarette smuggling. Ventura County Star.

Hospital CEOs Discuss Future of Safety Net Facilities

CEOs of hospitals in San Diego County said they are concerned about the rising costs of caring for uninsured patients and the elimination of acute care services at the University of California-San Diego Medical Center’s Hillcrest campus. San Diego Union-Tribune.

New Health Standards To Be Released

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said President Bush “in a matter of weeks” plans to sign an executive order addressing quality-measurement tools and uniform information technology standards. Washington Post.

Teen Birth Rate Reaches Record Low

The Department of Health Services on Tuesday announced that the state’s teenage birth rate reached a record low in 2004, the 13th consecutive year it has declined. KPBS’ “KPBS News” et al.

Kaiser Kidney Program Patients’ Transfers Delays

Department of Managed Health Care officials said transferring patients from Kaiser Permanente’s kidney transplant program to programs at University of California medical centers is taking longer than expected because some patients needed new tests and medical records had to be standardized. Los Angeles Times.

Drug Benefit Increases Earnings for Insurers, Pharmaceutical Firms

Sales for drug makers and membership in health plans both have increased since the launch of the Medicare drug benefit, but some experts have questioned whether businesses will continue to see such benefits. San Francisco Chronicle, St. Paul Pioneer-Press.

Audit: Mismanagement Rampant in Prison Health Care

An audit found that billing and contracting mismanagement for prison health care services has cost the state millions of dollars. The state attorney general will review the audit and consider whether to file criminal charges. San Jose Mercury News, AP/San Diego Union-Tribune.