Latest California Healthline Stories
Text Message Service Provides Sexual Health Information
San Francisco this week becomes the first city in the nation to provide safer sex advice to young people through cell phone text messages. San Francisco Chronicle.
New Policy Restricts Medicare Formulary Changes
The Bush administration announced a new policy that requires insurers sponsoring Medicare drug plans to allow enrolled beneficiaries to continue receiving coverage for medications, even if the company drops the drugs from its formulary. New York Times et al.
Lawsuit Questions HHS Preparations for Dual Eligibles
The lawsuit alleges that HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt did not ensure that dual eligibles had access to medications under the Medicare drug benefit. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Massachusetts Law Would Cost $9.4 Billion More in California
A Massachusetts law that requires individuals to purchase health insurance likely would cost about $9.4 billion more in California than in Massachusetts. San Francisco Chronicle.
State Attorneys General Oppose Association Health Plan Bill
Thirty-nine state attorneys general sent a letter to the Senate expressing their opposition to a bill that would allow small businesses to form AHPs. CongressDaily et al.
Fewer Californians Smoke Cigarettes
Smoking rates in California are declining, but tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the state, according to health department data. Sacramento Bee.
UC-Davis Considers School of Public Health
Officials at the University of California-Davis are exploring options for creating a school of public health. Sacramento Bee.
CalPERS Calls for Explanation of Executive Compensation
CalPERS asked UnitedHealth Group to explain the $2.4 billion in stock options issued to UnitedHealth Chair and CEO William McGuire and other executives. Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times et al.
More Moderate-Income Adults Uninsured
The percentage of moderate-income U.S. adults who do not have health insurance during any part of the year increased to 41% in 2005, a study says. AP/Houston Chronicle et al.
Massachusetts House Overrides Vetoes to Health Care Bill
The Massachusetts House voted to override Gov. Mitt Romney’s (R) vetoes to legislation that aims to expand health care coverage to nearly all of the state’s uninsured residents. AP/Boston Globe et al.