Latest California Healthline Stories
Not-for-Profit Organization Criticizes CIRM, Calls for Resignation of Chair
The Center for Genetics and Society, a not-for-profit organization that supports stem cell research, on Wednesday said that the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has had a “very disappointing” first year and called for the resignation of CIRM Chair Robert Klein, the Sacramento Bee reports.
President Bush To Focus on Health Care, Increased Costs in State of the Union Address
Bush administration officials have indicated that the president’s Jan. 31 State of the Union address will focus on curbing rising health care costs, among other health care issues, the AP/Long Island Newsday reports.
Methamphetamine Accounts for More ED Visits than Any Other Drug, Survey Finds
Forty-seven percent of hospitals run or funded by counties said methamphetamine was the leading illicit drug involved in emergency department visits, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of Counties, USA Today reports.
Researchers Identify Gene Variations That Increase Risk for Diabetes
Researchers have identified a gene carried by more than one-third of U.S. residents that might indicate added risk of type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online on Monday in Nature Genetics, the New York Times reports.
Senate To Consider Bill To Adopt Names-Based HIV Reporting System
The Senate as early as Thursday could consider a bill (SB 699) that would implement a confidential names-based reporting system for new HIV cases in the state, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Schwarzenegger Letter Could Spur Congressional Action on Reimportation
A letter Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) sent to Congress this month urging it to approve legislation legalizing the reimportation of medicines from abroad could lead to prescription drug legislation this year because of California’s “size and influence,” some experts say, the Christian Science Monitor reports.
States Take Actions To Help Dual Eligibles Receive Medicare Drug Benefits
A number of states have taken actions to help dual eligibles who have experienced problems with access to medications under the new Medicare prescription drug benefit.
California Ranked 23rd in Anti-Tobacco Programs, Lung Association Says
California received an F grade for the way it spends funds from a 1998 settlement between states and tobacco companies, according to a report by the American Lung Association that was released last week, the Napa Valley Register reports.
U.S. Supreme Court Says Federal Government Cannot Block Oregon Law
The Supreme Court on Tuesday voted 6-3 to uphold an Oregon physician-assisted suicide law in the case Gonzales v. Oregon, ruling that former Attorney General John Ashcroft overstepped his authority in seeking to punish doctors who prescribed drugs to help terminally ill patients end their lives, USA Today reports.
Legislators Support Extension of Emergency Drug Coverage for Dual Eligibles
State lawmakers on Tuesday voiced support for a bill (AB 132) that would provide as much as $150 million to extend prescription drug coverage for one million residents dually eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal who are having problems obtaining medications under the Medicare drug benefit, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.