Latest California Healthline Stories
Nursing Home Complaints Increase; Citations, Fines Decline
The Department of Health Services received 23% more complaints of possible health and safety violations at nursing homes last year than the average of the previous four years, but it issued 36% fewer citations last year than in previous years, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Frist Support of Stem Cell Research Legislation Could Help Passage
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist’s (R-Tenn.) announcement on Friday that he supports legislation (HR 810/S 471) that would expand federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research “gave new traction” to the measure in the Senate, but the White House said President Bush has not changed his position on the issue, the Wall Street Journal reports.
President Bush Signs Law Creating National Database on Medical Errors
President Bush has signed into law a bill (S 544) that creates a national patient safety database, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Jackson Discusses Public Health Efforts
The Department of Health Services’ hiring system and “micromanagement” from DHS and the Legislature affected efforts to reform the state public health system, former Public Health Officer Richard Jackson said in a telephone interview after his recent resignation, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Company Efforts To Address Health Care Costs Examined
USA Today on Monday examined the increasing number of U.S. companies that have begun to offer incentives to employees who “take more responsibility for both costs and health choices” and to provide employees with onsite preventive services to help reduce health care costs.
FDA Expected To Approve Silicone Breast Implant Manufactured by Mentor
FDA on Thursday indicated that it likely will to approve an application from medical device maker Mentor to market silicone breast implants if the company meets certain conditions, the New York Times reports.
One in Four Los Angeles County Adults at Risk of Heart Disease, Survey Finds
At least 29% of adults in Los Angeles County, or 1.7 million people, have two or more risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease, according to a random telephone survey of 8,100 adults, the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
California Healthline Highlights Recent Hospital News
OSHPD grants tentative approval to plans for Loma Linda specialty hospital; Blue Cross designates three Fresno hospitals ‘centers of expertise’ for bariatric surgery
Mendocino County Approves Contact for Telepsychiatry Services
The Mendocino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to approve a contract with Fresno-based Kings View for telepsychiatry services despite concerns about the rates specified in the contract, the Ukiah Daily Journal reports.
Frist To Support Bill To Expand Federal Funding for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) on Friday delivered a speech on the Senate floor backing legislation (HR 810/S 471) that would expand federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research, breaking from his previous support of President Bush’s embryonic stem cell research policy, Reuters reports.