Latest California Healthline Stories
New Smoking Cessation Treatment Found Effective
Chantix, a new smoking cessation medication, is more effective than a placebo or Zyban, a rival treatment, according to three studies. Chicago Tribune et al.
California Healthline Highlights County Health Action
Riverside County has moved away from a plan to increase early retirees’ contributions to health benefits, and San Bernardino County’s mental health spending plan has been approved. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Groups Raise Concerns About Routine HIV Testing
HIV/AIDS and civil rights advocates and politicians have raised concerns that new HIV testing recommendations could infringe on individual rights. California is among a number of state and local governments considering measures to modify current HIV testing policies. Wall Street Journal.
Options for County Health Care Plan Weighed
A plan to expand health care access in San Mateo County could build upon the county Healthy Kids program, local health care districts and a consortium of private hospitals. In related news, an editorial examines a proposal to expand health care access in San Francisco. Oakland Tribune, San Jose Mercury News.
Supreme Court Rules on HIV Liability
Extending liability to people who have reason to believe they are HIV-positive even if they have not tested positive “will provide at least a small incentive” for people to take steps to avoid HIV transmission, the Supreme Court rules. Los Angeles Daily News et al.
Nursing Home Residents Unnecessarily Hospitalized
About 37% of the hospitalizations of nursing home residents in urban areas nationwide were potentially avoidable, according to a recent study. Boston Globe.
County To Launch Automated Benefits System
Fresno County will roll out a computerized benefits system for low-income residents to help streamline the eligibility determination process for Medi-Cal and public assistance programs. Fresno Bee.
Technology Could Affect Seismic Safety Deadlines
Advocates for advanced technology to measure hospital buildings’ risk for collapsing in a major earthquake say re-evaluating facilities could save millions of dollars. AP/Los Angeles Daily News.
FDA Letter Addresses Flu Vaccine Contamination
Sanofi Pasteur received a warning letter from FDA regarding quality-control problems at the company’s influenza vaccine manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania. FDA has said it does not expect the issue to significantly affect the vaccine supply for the upcoming flu season. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
State Delays Enforcement of Proof-of-Citizenship Law
Department of Health Services Director Sandra Shewry said California will wait until August to enact a federal law that requires Medi-Cal applicants and beneficiaries to prove U.S. citizenship to receive benefits. San Jose Mercury News et al.