Latest California Healthline Stories
Hospital Construction Guidelines Will Require All Private Rooms
Two groups in April will publish new guidelines for hospital construction that for the first time will require all private rooms. Wall Street Journal.
CMS Will Expand Automatic Enrollment in Medicare Drug Benefit
About 1.2 million Medicare beneficiaries who do not take action to enroll on their own by April 30 will automatically be enrolled in the Medicare prescription drug benefit. CQ HealthBeat.
Bush Budget Plan Includes ‘Major Cuts’ to CDC Programs
CDC Director Julie Gerberding acknowledged that the fiscal year 2007 budget plan proposed by President Bush includes spending reductions for agency programs such as research on infectious and environmental diseases, health promotion and studies on public health. Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Critics Voice Concerns About Medicare Drug Benefit
Two Assembly committees heard testimony about problems low-income Medicare beneficiaries and pharmacists are experiencing nearly three months after the prescription drug benefit was launched. AP/Contra Costa Times, et al.
Medicare Drug Benefit Covers Fewer Medications Than Medi-Cal
A new study found that low-income Californians have coverage for fewer medications than they did under Medi-Cal. Los Angeles Times.
HSAs Available To Medical Association Members
The California Medical Association will offer members the option to enroll in health savings accounts. San Francisco Business Times.
Mayor Opposes Ballot Measure on Hospital Admissions Criteria
A measure on the June ballot in San Francisco that would restrict admissions at Laguna Honda Hospital could unintentionally lead to denials of care and increase costs to taxpayers, Mayor Gavin Newsom said. San Francisco Chronicle.
Avian Flu Likely To Reach U.S. in 2006
Three Bush administration officials said avian flu could reach the U.S. this year and announced a plan to test as many to 100,000 birds annually. USA Today, et al.
Small Businesses Work To Provide Health Benefits
BusinessWeek Online on March 16 profiled efforts by three small businesses to provide health benefits for employees “despite the pressures and costs.” BusinessWeek Online.
UC-Merced Officials Propose New Medical School
A medical school at the University of California-Merced could alleviate a physician and specialist shortage in the area and increase revenue for San Joaquin County, university officials said. Stockton Record.