Latest California Healthline Stories
Task Force Recommends HIV Testing for All Pregnant Women
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of U.S. health experts, has recommended that all pregnant women be offered an HIV test to further reduce mother-to-child transmission of the virus, according to a report in the July 5 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, Knight Ridder/Contra Costa Times reports.
Newspapers Address State Prison Health System, Receivership
The San Francisco Chronicle on Tuesday examined the state’s prison system, including a recent decision by a federal judge who ordered that a federal receiver take control of the system’s health services.
The Assembly Judiciary Committee on Tuesday will consider a proposed constitutional amendment that would deny health care services and other benefits to undocumented immigrants, the AP/San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Frist Calls for Voluntary Moratorium on DTC Advertising for Prescription Drugs
As expected, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) on Friday called for a voluntary moratorium on direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising for two years after a drug reaches the market, CQ HealthBeat reports.
Some Hospitals Miss Deadline for Reporting Pricing Lists To State Agency
About 60% of California hospitals have met a July 1 deadline to submit their pricing schedules to the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, the agency said, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Riverside County Meth Ordinance Would Not Require Logs of Cold Medicine Purchasers
Copies of a Riverside County ordinance provided to the media and the public mistakenly contained a provision that is not included in the version of the ordinance that was approved by the county Board of Supervisors, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Wall Street Journal Looks at Stem Cell Institute Issues
The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday examined the first eight months of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, “one of the most peculiar and largely unaccountable government research agencies in the country.”
Special Election Draws Nationwide Attention, Viewed as ‘Prelude to Battles’ on Several Issues
The Los Angeles Times on Sunday examined the November special election, which has begun attracting attention and money from special interest and political groups nationwide that “see the campaign as a way to invigorate their efforts in 2006 and beyond.”
CMS Approves 143 New Medicare Advantage Plans
CMS on Thursday announced the approvals of 143 new Medicare Advantage plans for 2005, CQ HealthBeat reports.
Senators Introduce Bills on Health Care Information Technology, Medicare
A bipartisan group of senators on Thursday announced “complimentary bills” that seek to improve health care quality, CongressDaily reports.