Latest California Healthline Stories
PacifiCare Reports 34% Earnings Increase, Citing Lower Costs, Growing Membership
Cypress-based PacifiCare Health Systems on Thursday reported a 34% increase in third-quarter profit compared with earnings for the same period last year, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Senate Approves $8B To Fund Avian Flu Preparedness Efforts
The Senate on Thursday approved nearly $8 billion in funding to stockpile vaccines and antiviral drugs and prepare local health organizations for a possible flu pandemic resulting from avian influenza, the New York Times reports.
J.C. Penney, Josten’s To Discontinue Retiree Drug Benefits
Retailer J.C. Penney and Josten’s, which distributes school yearbooks and class rings, recently notified retirees that they will discontinue some or all of their health benefits when the new Medicare prescription drug plan takes effect Jan. 1, 2006, the Fresno Bee reports.
Proposed Prescription Drug Discount Plan Could Extend Beyond Los Angeles
A proposed prescription drug discount plan for the city of Los Angeles could expand throughout Los Angeles County, into Ventura County and the Southern California region, the Ventura County Star reports.
Senate Committee Reauthorizes Indian Health Care Improvement Act
The Senate Indian Affairs Committee on Thursday approved by voice vote a bill (S 1057) that would reauthorize the Indian Health Care Improvement Act through fiscal year 2015 and expand some health care programs and services for American Indians, tribal organizations and urban American Indian organizations, CQ Today reports.
Villaraigosa Pledges $50M Toward Housing, Help for Chronically Homeless
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) on Tuesday pledged to spend $50 million to develop service-enriched housing for the city’s chronically homeless, many of whom are HIV-positive or have mental illnesses or substance abuse problems, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday voted 4-2 to support the creation of a city-run department that would supervise distribution of medical marijuana to residents, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Health Net Says Dispute With Trial Lawyer Group Should Be Decided by DMHC
Attorneys for Health Net of California on Wednesday said the Department of Managed Health Care should address a dispute with the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association rather than the courts, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Issues Related to New Medicare Drug Benefit Examined
Several newspapers recently examined issues related to the new Medicare prescription drug benefit.
Some Patient Advocacy Groups That Back Proposition 78 Receive Donations From Drug Companies
Several not-for-profit patient advocacy groups that oppose Proposition 79 and support Proposition 78 on the Nov. 8 special election ballot receive money from drug companies, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.