Latest California Healthline Stories
Senators Introduce Bill To Fund Alternative Dispute Resolution Models in Medical Malpractice Cases
Sens. Michael Enzi (R-Wyo.) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.) on Wednesday announced a bill that would authorize the HHS secretary to fund state demonstration projects to test alternatives to the current medical liability litigation system, CQ HealthBeat reports.
California Healthline Highlights Recent Hospital News
Several newspapers recently published articles on issues at hospitals across the state.
Washington Post Examines ‘Inner Circle’ of HHS Secretary
The Washington Post on Friday examined the “key members” of the “inner circle” of HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt — a “core group of advisers from his days as governor” of Utah and administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
San Francisco Board Committee Restores $16 Million in Cuts to Health Care, Social Programs
The San Francisco Budget and Finance Committee on Thursday voted 3-2 to recommend to the Board of Supervisors amendments to Mayor Gavin Newsom’s (D) budget package, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Prison Health Care System Placed in Federal Receivership by U.S. Judge
U.S. District Judge Thelton Henderson, citing conditions of “outright depravity” in the California prison health care system, on Thursday ordered that a federal receiver take control of and rectify the system, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
State Fails To Pass FY 2006 Budget by Friday Deadline
The Legislature has failed to pass a $115 billion fiscal year 2006 budget by the deadline Friday, despite a Thursday night vote by the Senate that fell short of the necessary two-thirds for approval, the Sacramento Bee reports.
The House on Thursday voted 419-0 to pass a fiscal year 2005 supplemental appropriations bill (HR 3130) that would provide the Department of Veterans Affairs with $975 million — an amount requested by the Bush administration — a move that could lead to a “stalemate between House and Senate Republicans” over how to address a budget deficit for VA health care programs, CQ Today reports.
Frist Expected To Call for Moratorium on Direct-to-Consumer Advertisements for New Medications
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) on Friday plans to call for a moratorium on direct-to-consumer advertising for prescription drugs that have been on the market less than two years, USA Today reports.
State Supreme Court Upholds Domestic Partner Law
The state Supreme Court on Wednesday let stand a law that went into effect Jan. 1 that offers registered domestic partners many of the rights and protections married couples receive, including health insurance, the AP/San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Thursday signed a bill (AB 794) that clarifies the use of $304 million in federal funds for women and children, while stating that state legislators have no intent to change women’s reproductive rights under the funding request, the Sacramento Bee reports.