Latest California Healthline Stories
Pharmacy Chain To Expand in Southern California
Longs Drug Stores will purchase 24 pharmacies in Southern California from Network Pharmaceuticals. San Francisco Business Times.
Supervisors Issue Resolution Against Exclusivity Contracts
San Francisco supervisors approved a resolution advising Brown & Toland Medical Group to stop recruiting doctors from a Chinese group to sign exclusive contracts that would prevent them from providing care at other hospitals. San Francisco Chronicle.
JCAHO President Criticizes LAT Article on Rule Changes
A Los Angeles Times article on a rule change related to hospital accreditation at the organization “misses the mark,” JCAHO President Dennis O’Leary writes. Los Angeles Times.
Massachusetts Governor To Sign Health Care Bill
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) is expected to sign a bill that aims to expand health care coverage to nearly all uninsured state residents, but he has indicated he will veto a fee on certain businesses that do not provide health insurance. Boston Globe et al.
Shortage of Asthma Medication Expected
Shortages of the inhaled asthma medication albuterol in California could worsen as federal rules phase out the use of some chemicals present in the inhaler. Sacramento Bee.
Fewer HIV Cases Linked to Intravenous Drug Use
Ventura County health officials said a drop in new drug-related HIV cases over the past decade is associated with the county’s needle exchange program. Ventura County Star.
UC-Merced Continues To Push Medical School Plan
University of California-Merced’s plans for a medical school are gaining support throughout communities in the Central Valley. Merced Sun-Star.
Medicare Beneficiaries Report Cost Savings
Three-fourths of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the drug benefit say paperwork to sign up was easy to complete, and almost two-thirds say the program saves them money. Washington Post.
Bush Promotes Medicare Drug Benefit
At appearances in Missouri and Iowa, President Bush on Tuesday met with Medicare beneficiaries and providers to promote the prescription drug benefit and encourage beneficiaries to sign up before the May 15 enrollment deadline. St. Louis Post-Dispatch et al.
Company-Funded Drug Trials Favor Company’s Treatments
Studies funded by drug companies usually find that the best drug is the one made by the companies sponsoring the trials, a study finds. Washington Post.