Latest California Healthline Stories
Schwarzenegger Names Stem Cell Committee Member
Duane Roth — founder, chair and CEO of Alliance Pharmaceutical — was appointed to the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee of the state’s stem cell institute. Office of the Governor.
Police Criticize Staffing at State Hospital
Low staff levels at Coalinga State Hospital create an unsafe environment for workers, a report found. Los Angeles Times.
Massachusetts Health Coverage Bill Could Influence Other Efforts
Several newspapers and broadcast media outlets examine the implications of Massachusetts’ plan to mandate individual health insurance. Boston Globe et al.
Senate To Consider Malpractice, Health Plan Legislation
The medical liability bill the Senate will consider would cap total noneconomic damages in malpractice lawsuits at $750,000 and would cap such damages at $250,000 per defendant, while other legislation would allow small businesses to form association health plans. CongressDaily, CQ HealthBeat.
People Fake Illnesses To Obtain Prescription Narcotics
Several measures are in place to prevent people from obtaining prescription narcotics illegally, but it is unknown how many people succeed in fraudulently getting the drugs or what the associated costs are. Modesto Bee.
President Bush promotes his proposal to expand use of tax-free health savings accounts during a forum in Connecticut. Washington Post et al.
Court Hears Arguments in HIV-Related Liability Case
State Supreme Court justices appear to support arguments for disclosing to a new partner past sexual behavior that resulted in exposure to HIV. Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle.
Discretionary Programs Focus of Spending Reductions
Efforts to reduce federal spending are limited in part by the fact that mandatory programs — such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid — account for about 56% of the federal budget and advocates strongly oppose cuts to such programs. New York Times.
Drug Industry Spent More Than $44M in States in 2003, 2004
California, which has the biggest state prescription drug budget, accounted for 20% of all lobbying expenditures — the most of any state. Washington Post et al.
Meetings Focus on Health Care Safety Net
Townhall meetings in San Diego County will address community concerns about the availability safety-net services for low-income residents. San Diego Union-Tribune.