Latest California Healthline Stories
County Nurses Vote for Two-Day Strike
Nurses at Contra Costa County’s hospital, health clinics and jails have been without a contract since September, and negotiations over health insurance and other benefits have stalled. Contra Costa Times.
Ambulances Waiting Longer at Local Hospital EDs
Delays at hospital emergency departments are the biggest challenge for ambulance crews in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
AARP, Children’s Hospitals Oppose Budget Provisions
AARP opposes a provision addressing Medicare cost control efforts, while a group representing children’s hospitals opposes a measure that would reduce funding for medical training programs at children’s hospitals. CongressDaily, CQ HealthBeat.
Federal Programs To Disclose Some Health Care Payments
The Bush administration likely will announce plans to make public the prices federal programs pay for certain medical procedures. Wall Street Journal.
Delays in Proposition 71 Funding Beneficial, Editorial States
Delays in issuing Proposition 71 grants have allowed the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to establish strong policies, but the courts should quickly end the litigation challenging the law’s constitutionality, according to an editorial and an opinion piece. San Francisco Chronicle.
Crestor Reduces Plaque Build-Up in Arteries
A study presented at the American College of Cardiology marks the first time a statin has been shown to reverse plaque build-up. Reuters/New York Times, et al.
Pharmacists Say Medicare Drug Benefit Affects Income
Slow and inadequate payments from Medicare drug plans are causing pharmacists to lose money under the Medicare drug benefit, a pharmacists group says. New York Times, et al.
Ambulance Diversion Policy Being Tested in Stanislaus County
The Mountain Valley Emergency Medical Services Agency could ask its board to adopt an ambulance diversion policy that appeared to be effective during a trial period. Modesto Bee.
Bush Reiterates Support for Health Plan Legislation
President Bush said he hopes the Senate will pass legislation that would allow small businesses to form association health plans. CQ HealthBeat, et al.
Mental Health Department Misinterprets Law
State residents with severe mental illnesses will not be helped under new regulations that prevent Proposition 63 funds from being spent on involuntary care, according to an opinion column. Los Angeles Times.