Latest California Healthline Stories
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Thursday ordered the state to provide five-days of temporary emergency 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 Jose Mercury News reports.
Legislative Analyst Criticizes Budget Proposal; Says Funds Should Be Used To Pay Down Debt
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s (R) fiscal year 2006-2007 budget proposal “moves the state in the wrong direction” by spending unexpected revenues on new or expanded programs, rather than paying down state debt, Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill said Thursday, the Sacramento Bee reports.
CIRM Develops Infrastructure While Waiting To Access Proposition 71 Funds
It will take at least 15 months for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to settle court challenges and access Proposition 71 funding if it wins the legal challenges, CIRM President Zach Hall said on Thursday, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Kaiser Permanente Ad Campaign Promotes Healthful Eating
Kaiser Permanente is using its Thrive advertising campaign to encourage beneficiaries to develop more healthful eating habits and as a promotional tool for initiatives already in place, such as produce markets at some facilities, the Contra Costa Times reports.
CMS Instructs Insurers on Supply Policy, Copay Caps Under Medicare Drug Benefit
CMS this weekend sent a directive to insurers that offer Medicare prescription drug benefit plans, instructing them that they are required to provide beneficiaries with a 30-day emergency supply of any drugs they were taking before the Medicare prescription drug benefit began Jan. 1, the New York Times reports.
Lawmakers Introduce Bond Proposals To Include Funds for Hospitals
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s (R) $222-billion bond proposal for state infrastructure projects does not include money to help hospitals comply with state seismic safety requirements, but some lawmakers are introducing their own bond measures, which they hope to integrate into the governor’s plan, the Los Angeles Times reports.
California Healthline Highlights State Actions Related to Medicare Drug Benefit
In addition to California, several other states recently took steps to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries — including dual eligibles, whose prescription drug coverage was switched from Medicaid to Medicare on Jan. 1 — are receiving needed medications under the new Medicare prescription drug benefit.
Researcher Hwang Apologizes for Fabricated Stem Cell Evidence in Articles
South Korean stem cell researcher Hwang Woo Suk on Thursday apologized for fabricated evidence in articles published in the journal Science in March 2004 and June 2005 but said that he was unaware of the fraud, the Washington Post reports.
CAPH President, CEO Retires; Vice President Appointed as Head of Association
The California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems on Tuesday announced the retirement of its president and CEO, Denise Martin, who has held the position since 1993, the San Francisco Business Times reports.
Coalition Receives Funding To Establish Obesity Programs in Six Counties
Members of the Central California Public Health Partnership on Friday will discuss plans for the Central California Regional Obesity Program to reduce obesity rates in the San Joaquin Valley, the Fresno Bee reports.