Latest California Healthline Stories
Four Counties Act on Health-Related Issues
Fresno, Monterey, San Mateo and Stanislaus counties on Tuesday acted on health care-related issues. Fresno Bee et al.
Service Lets Uninsured Seek Health Care Discounts
The California Medical Association is working with a Sacramento firm to help uninsured California residents search online for discounted health care services. Sacramento Business Journal.
CMS often does not penalize nursing homes that place the safety of patients at risk or that have long-term problems, according to a report. AP/Long Island Newsday.
UnitedHealth Stock Options Scrutinized
UnitedHealth Group has received a subpoena from federal prosecutors related to stock options issued to top officials. Reuters/New York Times et al.
Health Advocates Continue Drug Benefit Education Efforts
Citing concerns about low-income Medicare beneficiaries’ access to information, health advocates are saying they will continue efforts to educate beneficiaries about the Medicare drug benefit. San Francisco Chronicle, Peoria Journal Star.
House Approves Budget Resolution
The House approved the fiscal year 2007 budget resolution after Republican leaders promised GOP moderates to include an additional $3.1 billion in funds for health, labor and education programs. CQ Today et al.
Improvements Ordered to Kaiser Transplant Hotline
The state ordered Kaiser Permanente to increase staffing, improve the quality of information provided and ensure that a clinician will be available to answer questions from Northern California members seeking kidney transplants. Kaiser plans to close its kidney transplant program. Los Angeles Times.
Medicare To Cover Artificial Spinal Disk
CMS agreed to allow Medicare coverage for the Johnson & Johnson artificial spinal disk Charite for beneficiaries younger than age 60. Reuters/New York Times
State Requests Relocation of Health Agency Backup Data
A Sacramento Bee investigation found that facilities used to store backup data for the Department of Health Services and other agencies are located in a floodplain and could be at risk of damage in a flood. Sacramento Bee.
NYT Series Addresses Diabetes Funding
The articles address a decrease in federal funding for research into prevention and treatment of diabetes and funding disparities for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. New York Times.