Latest California Healthline Stories
Physician-Assisted Suicide Bill Defeated
A Senate committee rejected a bill that would legalize physician-assisted suicide after the committee chair unexpectedly voted against the measure. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
DOJ Seeks Dismissal of Budget Lawsuit
The lawsuit alleges that the fiscal year 2006 budget reconciliation law is unconstitutional because the House and Senate did not approve the same version of the legislation. The law reduces spending for Medicare, Medicaid and other programs by about $39 billion over five years. CongressDaily.
Hospitals Implement Communications Standards
The standards aim to reduce errors that occur when a patient is handed over to a new nurse or doctor during a shift change. Wall Street Journal.
Lawsuit Will Challenge Proof-of-Citizenship Law
Attorneys plan to file a class-action lawsuit over new Medicaid proof-of-citizenship requirements scheduled to take effect in July. Atlanta Journal-Constitution et al.
Secondhand Smoke Increases Health Risks
Exposure to secondhand smoke significantly increases risk for heart disease, lung cancer and other conditions, a U.S. Surgeon General report found. Washington Post.
Democrats Plan Legislation To Overhaul Drug Benefit
Congressional Democrats plan to announce legislation that would make several revisions to the Medicare prescription drug benefit. AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer, The Hill.
More Action Needed To Address School District’s Health Costs
A county grand jury report found the Fresno Unified School District has let its employee health insurance costs “run amok” and made several recommendations to bring costs under control. Fresno Bee.
Nurse-Backed Measure Qualifies for Ballot
The measure by the California Nurses Association would create a publicly financed political campaign system in California and impose new campaign contribution limits for corporations and individuals. AP/Contra Costa Times.
Children’s Health Coverage a Hot Topic in Gubernatorial Race
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to increase enrollment in Healthy Kids programs, while Phil Angelides, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, has proposed expanding eligibility requirements for state programs such as Healthy Families and Medi-Cal. Orange County Register.
Number of Nurse Practitioners Up
Nurse-managed primary care centers have increased to 250 nationwide from a small number 15 years ago in part because of the number of doctors choosing more lucrative specialties over primary care. AP/Minneapolis Star Tribune.