Latest California Healthline Stories
California Healthline Highlights Recent Hospital News
Prospective buyers of Alvarado Hospital plan to maintain hospital services; Los Angeles hospital sells downtown facility to residential developer
Disease Management Program Improves Outcomes
An asthma management program at San Mateo Medical Center uses text messaging to monitor patients’ compliance with treatment regimens. The program has reduced emergency department visits and is considered a cost-savings strategy for the hospital. San Francisco Examiner.
Supporters Praise Impact of Overturned Maryland Law
A Maryland law, although overturned by a federal judge, prompted Wal-Mart to expand health benefits for employees, according to supporters. Baltimore Sun.
House Members Pursue Changes to Drug Benefit
Democratic legislators asked for a vote to be scheduled on a bill that would allow Medicare to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies for discounts on medications. CQ HealthBeat, San Francisco Chronicle.
FDA Scientists Report Pressure To Alter Findings
About one in six FDA scientists say that they have felt pressure to revise the results of their work for nonscientific reasons, a survey finds. Washington Post et al.
Senate Committee Approves Appropriations Bills
The Labor-HHS-Education bill includes $5 billion more in discretionary spending than President Bush requested and $1.3 billion more than FY 2006 levels, including some additional funds for Medicare, Medicaid and other entitlement programs. CQ Today, Washington Post.
Schwarzenegger Announces Appointments
Gov. Schwarzenegger recently announced a new director of the Office of the Patient Advocate and appointments to the pharmacy board, the dental board and a dental examiners board committee. Office of the Governor, Governor’s Office of External Affairs.