Latest California Healthline Stories
A new California law in most cases bans vaccines containing a mercury-based preservative for use in children and pregnant women. Sacramento Bee.
San Francisco Health Care Proposals Combined
A committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to merge proposals to extend health care access to all residents and require employer contributions to the effort after the city’s health director said combining the legislation is necessary to guarantee funding. San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner.
Study Measures Effects of DDT in California Children
Children exposed to DDT in utero score lower on mental and motor skills tests than children not exposed to the pesticide. Los Angeles Times.
FDA To Reconsider Decision on Blood Substitute
FDA next week will hold a closed hearing on whether to allow a nonconsent clinical trial of the blood substitute Hemopure. Wall Street Journal.
Chemotherapy Reduces Stomach Cancer Death Risk
Patients with stomach cancer who receive chemotherapy before and after surgery can reduce their risk for death by one-fourth, a study finds. AP/Miami Herald, Wall Street Journal.
Some Hospice Patients Recover, Check Out
A number of patients who believe they are near death check into hospices and later recover and check out of the facilities. McClatchy/San Jose Mercury News.
Report Cards Might Improve Health Care Quality
Physician report cards “remain surprisingly controversial” in terms of their benefits, but a recent study found heart bypass surgeons who receive low scores are more likely to leave the field than those who receive higher scores, according to an opinion piece. Wall Street Journal.
Increase in Organ Donation Expected
A state law that took effect Saturday will allow people to register as organ donors when applying for or renewing driver’s licenses. San Jose Mercury News.
Schwarzenegger Voices Support for Children’s Health Care
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said all children in California should have access to health care regardless of immigration status. Fresno Bee.
CMS Responds To Criticism of Transplant Center Oversight
CMS Administrator Mark McClellan said that the agency improved oversight of transplant programs last year after discovering serious operational problems at the University of California-Irvine Medical Center. Los Angeles Times.