Latest California Healthline Stories
FDA Rejects Medical Benefits of Marijuana
State measures to legalize the medicinal use of marijuana bypass scientific review, FDA said in a statement critical of such measures. Washington Post et al.
Medicare Drug Benefit Enrollment Varies in California
San Francisco has the highest rate of eligible Medicare beneficiaries receiving prescription drug coverage, but the percentage of eligible beneficiaries in rural counties who are enrolled in drug plans is significantly lower. San Jose Mercury News.
Medicare Drug Benefit Enrollment Reaches Goal
More than 30 million Medicare beneficiaries have prescription drug coverage, exceeding the Bush administration’s goal of ensuring coverage for 28 million to 30 million beneficiaries in the first year of the Medicare drug benefit. AP/Philadelphia Inquirer et al.
Bush Reappoints Medicare Trustees
President Bush “recess appointed” John Palmer and Thomas Saving as public trustees on the Medicare and Social Security board of trustees, ending a dispute with the Senate over their reappointment. Dow Jones, New York Times.
Leavitt Encourages Enrollment in Medicare Drug Benefit
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt touted the Medicare drug benefit and encouraged California seniors to enroll in a prescription drug plan. Orange County Register.
Lawmakers Consider Future Plans for Earthquake Panel
Advocates for the state Seismic Safety Commission are working with the Schwarzenegger administration to reach a deal on placing the commission under control of the state, in part to increase its effectiveness. The commission has called for seismic retrofits for hospitals and other structures. Los Angeles Times.