Latest California Healthline Stories
Angelides, CMA Voice Opposition to PacifiCare, UnitedHealth Merger
State Treasurer Phil Angelides (D) on Thursday asked Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), CalPERS and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System to oppose UnitedHealth Group’s proposed $8.1 billion acquisition of PacifiCare Health Systems unless company executives agree to forego some merger-related bonuses, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Federal Government Awards Sanofi Pasteur $100M Avian Flu Vaccine Contract
The federal government has awarded Sanofi Pasteur a $100 million contract to supply an experimental avian flu vaccine for the Strategic National Stockpile, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
CEOs, Government Officials Discuss Proposals To Address Issue of Health Care Costs
Government officials and business leaders on Wednesday attended a summit meeting in Washington, D.C., to discuss ways to control health care costs and improve health care coverage, CQ HealthBeat reports.
California Healthline Highlights Recent Hospital News
Committee issues recommendations on reconstruction of San Francisco General; Kern County supervisors approve plan for physician compensation at Kern Medical Center
Durbin Blocks Senate Bill To Provide Grants to States for High-Risk Health Insurance Pools
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) has blocked a bill (S 288) that would reauthorize a grant program for state high-risk health insurance pools over concerns that the legislation would “hurt his home state,” CQ Today reports.
Senators Introduce Compromise Bill To Extend Medicaid Coverage to Hurricane Survivors
Senate Finance Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and ranking member Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) on Wednesday introduced a compromise, bipartisan measure that would temporarily extend Medicaid coverage to survivors of Hurricane Katrina, CongressDaily reports.
Status of Some Health-Related Bills by Santa Rosa Area Legislators Examined
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat on Saturday examined the status of legislation by local lawmakers, including several health-related bills.
Consultant Questions Need for Three Trauma Centers in Santa Clara County
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted unanimously to accept a consultant’s report indicating that there are more trauma centers than needed in the county and that services at those facilities are too often used for patients whose illnesses do not require that level of care, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Health Affairs Studies, Editorial Examine Health Care Information Technology
Several newspapers on Thursday addressed three studies and one editorial on health care information technology published Wednesday in the September/October edition of Health Affairs.
U.S. Should Have Adequate Flu Vaccine Supply This Year, CDC Officials Say
The U.S. should have an adequate supply of flu vaccine for all residents who seek vaccinations this year, but physicians should first vaccinate high-risk individuals, such as Hurricane Katrina evacuees who have moved into shelters, federal health officials said on Wednesday, USA Today reports.