Latest California Healthline Stories
Clinton Urges Governors To Address Obesity, Diabetes
Former President Bill Clinton recommends that governors address the U.S. culture of overeating and lack of exercise to curb rising obesity rates and health care costs. AP/Boston Globe.
First Drug Redistribution Program in State Approved
San Mateo County supervisors approved an ordinance to create a prescription drug redistribution program to benefit low-income residents. Bay City News/San Jose Mercury News.
Heart Attack Medication Does Not Help Repair Muscle Damage
Outcomes are about the same between heart attack patients who receive a medication developed to prompt bone marrow stem cells to repair heart muscle damage and those who do not receive the treatment, a study finds. Philadelphia Inquirer, et al.
Hospitals Accounted for 12.1% of Southern California Economy in 2004
A new study finds that hospitals in six Southern California counties accounted for $85.5 billion in economic activity in 2004. Ventura County Star, et al.
Independent Physicians Oppose Contract Proposal
A proposal by Sharp Community Medical Group would require senior patients to enroll in PacifiCare’s Secure Horizons Medicare managed care plan. Some independent physicians who are considering whether to contract with SCMG oppose the proposal. San Diego Union-Tribune.
New Research Questions Effect of Medical Costs on Bankruptcies
A reanalysis of data from a report on personal bankruptcies and medical bills published last year questions the original results. AP/Boston Globe, et al.
First 5 Awards Grant To Develop Immunization Registry
A $3.6 million grant will help integrate regional immunization registries and other databases to improve preventive health care and access to immunization records. SDSUniverse.
Governors Weigh In on Medicaid Changes
Governors say that recent changes to Medicaid in the budget reconciliation law might be able to help states curb rising costs. CQ Today, CongressDaily.
Grant Applications Available for Cancer Patients, Their Families
Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D) is accepting applications for grants to benefit cancer patients or their families in California as part of an antitrust settlement with Bristol-Myers Squibb. Cypresfunds.net.
Legal Challenge to Proposition 71 Underway
Opening statements are made in a case seeking to invalidate California’s stem cell research program, with plaintiffs’ lawyers saying the state stem cell agency does not have sufficient government oversight to administer state funds. Sacramento Bee, et al.