Latest California Healthline Stories
PhRMA Files Lawsuit To Challenge Washington, D.C., Price Control Law
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America filed suit against the Washington, D.C., government last week alleging that a new price control law on prescription drugs will cut supplies, hinder development and cause a “limitless parade of lawsuits,” the Washington Times reports.
Senate Commerce Committee Approves Bill To Regulate Video News Releases
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Thursday by voice vote approved a bill (S 967) that would require federal agencies to disclose when they pay for or prepare prepackaged news stories aired on commercial radio and television stations, CQ Today reports.
Riverside County Launches HIV/AIDS Project for Black Residents
Public health officials and religious leaders in Riverside County on Wednesday launched a campaign — called the African Descent AIDS Mobilization Project, or ADAM’s Project — aimed at educating black residents about HIV/AIDS, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports.
Online Prescription Drug Plan Comparison Tool for Medicare Beneficiaries Not Operational
CMS officials this week updated the Medicare Web site with information about prescription drug plans, but a “promised interactive tool to allow beneficiaries to comparison shop still is not operational,” the Washington Post reports.
Senate Finance Committee Republicans Reach Agreement on Plan To Reduce Medicaid, Medicare Spending
Senate Finance Committee Republicans on Thursday reached an agreement on a fiscal year 2006 budget reconciliation plan that would save a net $10 billion in Medicaid and Medicare costs over five years, CQ HealthBeat reports.
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Thursday heard oral arguments in an appeal of a ruling that barred a 2003 federal law banning so-called “partial-birth” abortion from taking effect, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Illinois Governor Promotes All Kids Program; State Hospital Association Endorses Proposal
The Illinois Hospital Association on Thursday officially endorsed Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s (D) children’s health insurance proposal, All Kids, saying many of the questions that initially caused it to withhold its endorsement have been answered, the AP/Chicago Tribune reports.
California Healthline Highlights Recent Hospital News
UCSF raises $1.6 billion, including funds for health care services and facilities; Riverside Community Hospital closes its outpatient surgery center
DHS To Investigate Reported Issues at King/Drew Medical Center
The Department of Health Services said it will investigate patient care lapses at Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center cited in a confidential hospital report reviewed by the Los Angeles Times.
HHS Approves Plan To Shift Florida’s Medicaid Program to Managed Care System
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt on Wednesday approved a waiver for a plan proposed by Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) that would shift the 2.2 million Medicaid beneficiaries in the state to managed care and cap per-beneficiary state expenditures to help reduce costs, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.