Latest California Healthline Stories
Case Challenging Proposition 71 Begins
An Alameda County Superior Court judge will begin hearing a lawsuit seeking to invalidate California’s stem cell research program. Regardless of the outcome of the trial, appeals are expected. Oakland Tribune, et al.
Medicare Might Limit Prescription Drug Plans
CMS is considering restricting the number of plans that insurers can offer under the Medicare drug benefit in 2007. Wall Street Journal.
Governors Will Discuss Medicare Drug Benefit With Bush
Concerns about the Medicare prescription drug benefit are expected to be some of the “main issues” governors will raise on Monday in a meeting with President Bush and his Cabinet. AP/Arizona Daily Star, et al.
$25M Donation Will Fund Stem Cell Research Center
The University of Southern California will use a donation from Eli and Edythe Broad to help fund the development of what is expected to be the largest stem cell research institute in California. Los Angeles Daily News, et al.
Nebraska Senator Forms Commission To Examine Health Care
Sen. Chuck Hagel’s new commission of health care experts will develop health care reform recommendations for federal legislation. Omaha World-Herald, Lincoln Journal-Star.
Legislators Propose Heart Disease Prevention Bill
A bipartisan group of female lawmakers earlier this month introduced legislation that would require health information reported to the federal government to specify gender to improve efforts to prevent heart disease and stroke among women. CQ HealthBeat.
HHS Investigates Medicare HMO Enrollment
HHS has launched an investigation into whether health insurers have sought to pressure Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in HMOs. Chicago Tribune, et al.
County Board Rejects Mental Health Cuts
Members of the Fresno County Mental Health Board offered no alternatives for addressing a budget deficit in the county’s behavioral health department after rejecting a number of proposals. Fresno Bee.
Stolen Laptop Includes HIV Patients’ Health Records
A laptop computer that contains patients’ health information was stolen this month. The computer’s records contain the name, age, gender, race, ZIP code and HIV status of each patient but do not include addresses, Social Security numbers or driver’s license numbers. Sacramento Bee.
Tax Credits Could Help Extend Coverage
The president of the American Medical Association says tax credits could help U.S. residents obtain health insurance coverage. Daytona Beach News-Journal.