Latest California Healthline Stories
Senator Calls for Activism on Federal Research Funding
Sen. Arlen Specter suggested that advocates for medical research become more politically active in requesting additional federal funding. Baltimore Sun et al.
Proposed Medicare, Medicaid Commission ‘Due for a Rebirth’
Rep. Frank Wolf is scheduled to introduce legislation to establish a commission to consider the future of Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and other programs, David Broder writes. Washington Post.
Increased Use of Medicare Preventive Services Sought
CMS Administrator Mark McClellan says the agency will seek to increase the use of preventive services among Medicare beneficiaries. CQ HealthBeat.
Beneficiaries Should Be Allowed To Switch Drug Plans
Some health policy experts said Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the drug benefit should be allowed to change plans after they sign up. CQ HealthBeat.
Medco Substituting More Generics for Brand Name Drugs
Medco currently substitutes 54% of brand-name prescription drugs with generic versions, compared with 47% in 2005, a report states. Los Angeles Times et al.
Proposed Ballot Measure Seeks To Require Parental Notification
More than one million signatures have been submitted to qualify for the November statewide ballot a measure that would require parents to be notified before unmarried minors could obtain abortions. Sacramento Bee/Monterey County Herald.
Leavitt Calls for Delay on Medicare Penalty Waiver
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt calls for a delay on legislation that would waive the late-enrollment penalty for the Medicare prescription drug benefit. CongressDaily et al.
Kaiser Permanente Addresses Hotline Problems
Kaiser Permanente will increase staff at a hotline for kidney transplant patients and shorten response times to comply with a Department of Managed Health Care order. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee.