Latest California Healthline Stories
AP/Modesto Bee Examines Parental Notification Measure
Recent polls on Proposition 73 suggest that Californians “will reaffirm voters’ long-standing support for unfettered abortion access,” but supporters and opponents of the measure “agree the race is competitive enough that either side could prevail by mobilizing motivated voters,” the AP/Modesto Bee reports.
California Healthline Highlights Recent Hospital News
Blythe residents consider ballot measure to fund Palo Verde Hospital; San Francisco hospital workers consider joining ongoing strike
Pharmaceutical companies have given “hundreds of thousands of dollars” to political leaders and civil rights organizations that have endorsed the industry-supported Proposition 78 on the Nov. 8 special election ballot, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Senate Approves Budget Reconciliation Bill
The Senate on Thursday voted 52-47 to approve the fiscal year 2006 Senate budget reconciliation bill (S 1932) after senators “methodically disposed of” 22 proposed amendments in roll-call votes, the New York Times reports.
Congressional Debate Over VA Health Care Expansion Examined
The Hill on Thursday examined the “long-simmering” debate between the Senate and House over extending military health care benefits to all National Guard members and reservists.
State To Stop Payment of Medicare Advantage Premiums for Low-Income, Disabled
California will no longer pay Medicare managed care premiums for state residents dually eligible for Medicare and Medi-Cal when the new Medicare prescription drug benefit begins Jan. 1, 2006, state officials said on Thursday, the Contra Costa Times reports.
ICOC Approves Interim Guidelines for Stem Cell Research
The Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee on Wednesday approved interim policies for the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine on research grant applications and human embryonic stem cell research, the Oakland Tribune reports.
St. Vincent To Close Liver Transplant Program
St. Vincent Medical Center on Friday will announce the closure of its liver transplant program after hospital officials acknowledged last month that doctors violated national organ transplant standards by misappropriating a liver in 2003, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Some Firms Say Employees Who Enroll in Medicare Drug Benefit Will Lose Employer-Sponsored Benefits
Aspects of the Medicare prescription drug benefit might not be working as “Congress intended,” as some employers who provide retiree prescription drug coverage are saying that retirees who choose to enroll in the new Medicare drug benefit will lose all employer-sponsored health benefits, the New York Times reports.
San Diego County Refuses To Implement Medical Marijuana Programs Required by State
San Diego County supervisors on Tuesday voted to refuse to implement a program to issue identification cards and maintain a registry of medical marijuana users, as mandated by the state, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.