Latest California Healthline Stories
Ambulance Diversions Increase in Pasadena
Paramedics say they must drive farther to find open emergency departments as a number of hospital closures in the San Gabriel Valley over the past decade have created a surge at local EDs. San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
Minority Adults More Likely To Be Uninsured
A greater percentage of Hispanic adults were uninsured at some point in 2005 than other ethnic groups, a study finds. CQ HealthBeat.
Alameda County Prepares for Flu Pandemic
Alameda County held an avian flu pandemic preparedness forum, although CDC said it is less likely that the H5N1 strain will mutate into a virus that can quickly spread among humans. Oakland Tribune.
New Rules Allow IT Donations to Physicians
HHS announced final rules that establish exceptions to two federal laws to help physicians implement electronic health record systems. CQ HealthBeat.
FDA Nominee Questioned on Emergency Contraception
Acting FDA Commissioner Andrew Von Eschenbach said he would be open to approving nonprescription Plan B sales for women ages 18 and older, adding that approval could happen within weeks. Washington Post et al.
State Must Hire More Prison Mental Health Workers
A federal judge ordered California to hire more than 550 new mental health workers at state prisons, which could drive up costs of hiring mental health workers for the Department of Mental Health and other state agencies. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
CMS Revises Inpatient Reimbursement Proposal
Under the revised proposal, hospital reimbursements on average would increase by 3.5% and reimbursements would decrease for only about 2% of all facilities. Boston Globe et al.
Medicare Growth Rate Decreasing
The rate of Medicare growth decreased in the 1992-2003 period, compared with the 1975-1983 period, according to the Congressional Budget Office. CongressDaily.
Medicare Benefit Prompts Increased Drug Sales
The Medicare prescription drug benefit has prompted increased use of medications and has led to increased sales for large pharmaceutical companies. Wall Street Journal.
Older HIV-Positive Population Faces Obstacles
A group in Sacramento County plans to open a 60-unit residential building to provide affordable housing for HIV-positive people. Sacramento Bee.