Latest California Healthline Stories
CalPERS To Address Health Care Costs at Meeting With General Motors, Ford
CalPERS on Sept. 21 in Sacramento will meet with General Motors and Ford Motor Co. to discuss hospital care costs, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Skin Cell Study Might Have Limited Impact in Political Debate Over Stem Cell Research
Researchers from the Harvard Stem Cell Institute on Sunday announced they have been able to use existing human embryonic stem cells to transform human skin cells into cells resembling embryonic stem cells without destroying human embryos, the Washington Post reports.
Johns Hopkins University Might Strengthen Conflict-of-Interest Rules for Medical Researchers
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine might “tighten up on certain wording” in its conflict-of-interest rules for medical researchers who have consulting arrangements with financial firms, according to Julie Gottlieb, assistant dean of policy coordination, Bloomberg/Boston Globe reports.
Lawsuits Related to Vioxx Could Affect FDA Approvals of New Prescription Drugs
The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday examined the potential effects that the Vioxx trials could have on FDA’s drug approval process, with the industry interpreting the decisions “as a signal of how deeply a sense of caution on drug approvals has taken hold.”
Pfizer To Launch Ad Campaign for Prescription Drug Discount Program
Pfizer on Monday plans to launch a nationwide advertising campaign to increase awareness about a program that allows uninsured U.S. residents to purchase prescription drugs manufactured by the company at a discount or receive them at no cost, the Detroit News reports.
California Employers Offer Health Benefits Through Cross-Border HMOs
About 36,000 California workers and their families receive health care services through three employer-sponsored health plans at health care facilities in Mexico, where services can cost as much as 40% less than in the U.S., the Los Angeles Times reports.
Schwarzenegger Accepts Contributions From Hospital, Insurer Groups
Trade associations, including the California Hospital Association and the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies, paid at least $25,000 each to co-host a fundraiser for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) at the Sutter Club in Sacramento on Thursday, the Sacramento Bee reports. In related campaign contribution news, two Democratic legislators from New Jersey on Friday alleged that the Republican gubernatorial candidate for that state tried to influence California legislation that would require pharmacy benefits managers to disclose more about their business practices.
Lawsuit Alleges PBM Misused Leftover Medications
A recently disclosed lawsuit, filed in December 2003 by four former employees of pharmacy benefit manager Caremark Rx, alleges that the company restocked leftover prescription drugs and resold them to customers, including CalPERS, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Washington Post Profiles Forbes of Consejo de Latinos Unidos, Looks at Hospital Billing Efforts
The Washington Post on Monday examined efforts to stop the alleged overcharging of uninsured patients at not-for-profit hospitals and profiled “lead agitator” K.B. Forbes, executive director of Consejo de Latinos Unidos.
Medicaid Asset-Transfer Changes Would Affect Many Voters
CQ Today on Friday examined proposals that would reduce Medicaid spending by restricting the transfer of assets to achieve eligibility.