Latest California Healthline Stories
Obstacles Await Bill on Drug Benefit Enrollment Penalties
Some senators have objected to a procedural plan to move by unanimous consent a bill that would eliminate the financial penalty for Medicare beneficiaries who sign up for the prescription drug benefit in November. CongressDaily.
Central Valley Clinics Receive Grants
Community clinics in the Central Valley recently received grants to improve services, build a dental clinic and add exam rooms. Fresno Bee.
$12M Judgment Issued Against State
The state must pay $12 million to two men after the Department of Health Services did not conduct hospital inspections that were needed to secure Medicare and Medi-Cal funding, a jury decided. San Diego Union-Tribune.
High-Deductible Plans Without Accounts Might Cost Less
High-deductible plans with health savings accounts in most cases cannot cover medical expenses other than preventive care before members meet their deductibles, but some plans without the accounts make exceptions for prescription drugs and other expenses. Wall Street Journal.
Clinic Uses Outdated Forms for HIV Testing
A San Francisco clinic has been using outdated forms that assure anonymity for HIV testing, despite a state law that requires clinics to report the names of those who test positive. San Francisco Chronicle.
DOJ Official Must Testify on Conduct in Tobacco Lawsuit, Judge Rules
Associate Attorney General Robert McCallum must testify in a lawsuit over the conduct of the Department of Justice in a case against the tobacco industry. AP/Washington Post.
Chronic Disease Affects 35% of Fresno County Residents
Fresno County has a higher-than-average rate of chronic diseases, and organizers of a pilot program hope health assessments and information will help residents lead healthier lives. Fresno Bee.
CHL Highlights Coverage of 25th Anniversary of AIDS Diagnosis
Several newspapers recently published articles about the 25th anniversary of the first AIDS diagnosis in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times et al.
Medical Board Could Change Structure
The Medical Board of California will meet to consider plans for restructuring the board, including consolidating its two divisions and reducing its membership. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Increased Pharmaceutical Industry Spending on DTC Ads Examined
Spending on direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertisements increased by 7% to $4.8 billion in 2005 despite new pharmaceutical industry guidelines. Bloomberg/Philadelphia Inquirer.