Latest California Healthline Stories
Los Angeles Times Examines Automated Prescription Drug Dispensing Machines
The Los Angeles Times on Monday examined automated prescription drug-dispensing machines.
FDA To Restrict Distribution of Accutane To Reduce Birth Defects, Fetal Deaths
FDA on Friday said all health care providers prescribing Accutane and generic versions of the acne drug, known as isotretinoin, and any patients taking the medication must enroll in a central registry system in an effort to prevent pregnancies among women taking the drug, which is known to cause severe birth defects, AP/USA Today reports
Grassley Requests Documents From CMS Related to Medicare Quality Improvement Organizations
Senate Finance Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Thursday wrote a letter to CMS officials that requests documents related to Quality Improvement Organizations in response to concerns that private Medicare contractors are “not adequately investigating patient complaints about quality,” the Washington Post reports.
Pharmaceutical Companies File Suit Over DOD Prescription Drug Rebate Plan
A coalition of pharmaceutical companies has filed a lawsuit against the Bush administration, alleging that a Department of Defense plan to collect rebates for prescription drugs purchased by military personnel and their families at retail pharmacies is illegal, the Washington Post reports.
Lockyer, 7-Eleven Sign Agreement Restricting Sales of Tobacco to Minors
Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D) on Thursday announced that the state has reached an agreement with 7-Eleven that will require the company to adopt policies intended to reduce cigarette sales to minors, the Sacramento Bee reports.
New York Times Examines Federal Court Limits on Lawsuits Filed by Medicaid Beneficiaries
The New York Times on Monday examined how a series of decisions by federal courts, with direction from the Supreme Court, have limited the ability of Medicaid beneficiaries to “enforce a provision of the law that says they should have the same access to health care as ‘the general population.'”
Lawmakers Consider Federal Medi-Cal Agreement, Other Health Care Measures
Lawmakers have one month in the legislative session to approve legislation to implement changes to Medi-Cal that were approved earlier this summer under an agreement between the state and federal government, the Sacramento Bee reports.
New York Times Examines Information Available to Patients for Health Care Decisions
The New York Times on Sunday published two articles examining patients’ health care decision-making and resources available to help make such decisions.
Some Say Report Supports Creation of New State Public Health Department
A state audit that is critical of California’s readiness to address a disease outbreak or bioterrorist attack was released on Thursday, amid “growing” concerns that the Department of Health Services’ administration of Medi-Cal “overshadows [the agency’s] public health responsibilities,” the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Union Seeking To Represent Home Care Workers Must Arbitrate Dispute
U.S. District Judge Barry Moskowitz on Wednesday declined to block Service Employees International Union from soliciting home care workers in 29 counties where union representation had been assigned to United Domestic Workers of America under a 2000 court agreement, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.