Latest California Healthline Stories
Proposition 78 TV Ad Spending Dwarfs Proposition 79 Campaign
The pharmaceutical industry has spent $37 million on TV ads in support of Proposition 78 and against Proposition 79 so far, while the campaign for Proposition 79 have spent nothing on TV ads, state records show, the Orange County Register reports.
Health Net, Associations Set To Begin Legal Battle Over Coverage Wednesday
The First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco on Wednesday will consider a “legal battle” involving Thousand Oaks-based health insurer Health Net’s plan to terminate health policies for several associations, including the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association and the Organization of Women Architects and Design Professionals, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Schwarzenegger Vetoes Bills to Expand Health Kids Programs, Signs Other Health-Related Legislation
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Friday vetoed two bills that would have expanded public health insurance programs for children, according to an Office of the Governor release.
Federal Lawmakers Continue To Consider Medicare, Medicaid Spending Reductions
Several newspapers recently examined congressional efforts to reduce spending in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and in the midst of the fiscal year 2006 budget reconciliation process.
Experts Criticize Anti-Fraud Plan for Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
Some experts are criticizing CMS’ plan to combat fraud in the new Medicare prescription drug benefit, saying the benefit is “too complex to monitor properly and leaves too much discretion to the industries that have fleeced government health programs in the past,” the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Washington Post Examines Educational Campaign for Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
The Washington Post on Monday examined a CMS educational campaign for the new Medicare prescription drug benefit.
Newspapers Examine Effects of Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
Several newspapers recently examined issues related to the new prescription drug benefit.
President Bush Meets With Flu Vaccine Manufacturers To Discuss Production Problems
President Bush on Friday met with the CEOs of six vaccine manufacturers to discuss strategies to increase global production of flu vaccines and the importance of preparedness for a potential pandemic, the Washington Post reports.
Schwarzenegger Appoints Workers’ Comp Chief as Legal Affairs Secretary
Andrea Hoch (R), director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, on Thursday was named by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) as his new legal affairs secretary, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Proposition 78, Proposition 79 Study Results Fail To Corroborate Prices
Officials from prescription drug discount programs in Ohio and Maine on Thursday testified at a legislative hearing on Propositions 78 and 79, the Sacramento Bee reports.