Latest California Healthline Stories
California Healthline Highlights Recent News Related to Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance
Several newspapers recently published articles addressing employer-sponsored health insurance coverage.
Older Schizophrenia Medication as Effective as Newer Treatments, Study Finds
Newer, more expensive prescription drugs to treat schizophrenia are no more effective and no safer than an older, less expensive medication that many physicians no longer use, according to a National Institute of Mental Health study released on Monday, the Washington Post reports.
CMS To Distribute Test Software for Electronic Health Records
A test version of electronic health records software known as Vista-Office has been made available by CMS for use in doctors’ offices, as part of the Bush administration’s goal for widespread EHR implementation within 10 years, CQ HealthBeat reports.
President Bush Threatens To Veto Bill That Would End FDA Ban on Prescription Drug Reimportation
The White House on Monday said President Bush would veto the final version of the fiscal year 2006 Agriculture appropriations bill (HR 2744) if the legislation includes an amendment that would bar FDA enforcement of a ban on prescription drug reimportation, CQ HealthBeat reports.
Whooping Cough in California on the Rise
The number of reported cases of whooping cough this year in California is almost three times the number reported in 2004, consistent with a national trend, the AP/Modesto Bee reports.
Medi-Cal beneficiaries under fee-for-service systems in some Central Valley counties face difficulties locating specialists and surgeons who will treat them, the Modesto Bee reports.
Los Angeles, Placer Counties Develop Proposition 63 Spending Plans
Los Angeles and Placer counties are working on spending plans for funds from Proposition 63, a November 2004 ballot measure that increased the state income tax by 1% for state residents whose annual incomes exceed $1 million to fund mental health services.
The Division of Workers’ Compensation has proposed regulations that would allow insurers to contract with out-of-state physicians not licensed to practice medicine in California to offer a second opinion on treatment plans for workers’ compensation claimants, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Some Lawmakers Call for Delay of Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit To Help Offset Hurricane Costs
Some fiscal conservatives in Congress are calling for a one-year delay in the implementation of the Medicare prescription drug benefit to offset the recovery and rebuilding costs from Hurricane Katrina, but Bush administration officials have rejected the proposal, the Washington Times reports.
Advocacy Groups Ask Lockyer To Investigate Sutter Health
A group of labor and patient advocacy organizations have petitioned Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D) to investigate Sutter Health for allegedly violating state law, the Sacramento Bee reports.