Latest California Healthline Stories
Bill To Legalize Physician-Assisted Suicide Among Those That Could Return in 2006
The Legislature in 2006 could reconsider as many as 1,900 bills that it did not approve in 2005, including a measure to legalize physician-assisted suicide, the AP/San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Schwarzenegger Considers Bond Measure, Including Hospital Funds
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is considering a bond measure between $25 billion and $30 billion, including some funds for hospitals, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Bush Signs Labor-HHS, DOD Appropriations Bills
President Bush on Friday signed into law the Department of Defense appropriations bill (HR 2863) that includes $3.8 billion to prepare for a possible avian flu pandemic, and he also signed the Labor-HHS appropriations bill (HR 3010), the AP/St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Medi-Cal Reimbursement Rate Reduction Takes Effect
A 5% reduction to Medi-Cal provider payment rates took effect on Sunday, drawing criticism from some medical groups and advocates for Medi-Cal beneficiaries about implications for access to care, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Universities Proceed With Plans for Stem Cell Research Programs, Facilities
Universities in California are continuing with plans for stem cell research programs despite Proposition 71 funding delays that have arisen because of legal challenges, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Some advocates for lung cancer patients say research for the disease would be underfunded by a proposed ballot initiative to increase the tobacco tax by $2.60 per pack, the Sacramento Bee reports.
HMO Receives $1M Grants for Children’s Health Insurance
The Blue Shield of California Foundation has given Inland Empire Health Plan, a not-for-profit health maintenance organization, a $1 million grant to expand children’s health care coverage, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports.
Health Care Among Issues Democratic Legislators Plan To Address in 2006
Democratic lawmakers in the Assembly and Senate are expected to adopt a “more aggressive posture” when the next legislative session begins on Tuesday, focusing on issues such as children’s health care, prescription drugs and workers’ compensation insurance, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Reports Find Deficiencies at St. Vincent, UCI Liver Transplant Programs
St. Vincent Medical Center is not in compliance with eight conditions that must be met to receive federal funding for its liver transplant program, according to an October 2005 report by CMS, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Nevada A.G. Says Drug Reimportation Program Not Legally Feasible
Nevada Attorney General George Chanos (R) on Dec. 27, 2005, issued an opinion asserting that a state law permitting residents to purchase lower-cost prescription drugs from Canada presents “insurmountable legal obstacles to the importation of virtually any drugs from Canada,” the Reno Gazette-Journal reports.