Latest California Healthline Stories
Program Tries To Alleviate Specialist Shortage in Fresno
A UCSF program in Fresno could open a clinic that would provide medical specialty training and experience. The program likely would encourage medical specialists to establish practices in the area. Fresno Bee.
Passage Expected for Bill To Change HIV Reporting System
A new names-based reporting system for HIV patients likely will be approved by the Assembly and Gov. Schwarzenegger but would not be complete until at least 2007, health officials say. San Francisco Chronicle.
Bill Would Bar Physicians From Participating in Executions
Legislators plan to introduce an Assembly bill that would prevent doctors from participating in any part of the execution process. Sacramento Bee, et al.
Alternate Bond Package Includes Funds for Hospitals
Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez proposes a $35 billion bond package that includes funding to help hospitals comply with state seismic safety rules. AP/Contra Costa Times.
Medicare Will Pay for Three Types of Bariatric Surgery
CMS officials announce that Medicare will cover three forms of bariatric surgery for obese beneficiaries who meet certain qualifications. Washington Post, et al.
Newsom Seeks Health Care Funding in Sacramento Visit
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom wants Gov. Schwarzenegger to include hospital construction costs in his bond measure. Newsom also will ask lawmakers for a portion of a federal grant to provide health care benefits to the uninsured. San Francisco Chronicle/San Francisco Examiner.
Supreme Court To Hear Arguments on Federal Abortion Ban
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the Department of Justice’s appeal to reinstate a federal law banning so-called “partial-birth” abortion. Washington Post, et al.
Grant Funds Foreign Health Worker Program in San Diego
A San Diego program that provides training and counseling for foreign-trained health professionals receives a grant to continue its services. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Pediatricians Not Board-Certified To Treat Young Patients
Many hospitals and health plans do not require physicians to be board-certified in pediatrics before beginning to practice on young patients, according to studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Scripps Howard/Detroit News, Detroit Free Press.
CDC Advisory Panel Recommends Rotavirus Vaccine
The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices unanimously recommends that all U.S. infants receive rotavirus vaccine. Los Angeles Times, et al.