Latest California Healthline Stories
CDC Committee Recommends Whooping Cough Booster Vaccination for Adolescents
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at CDC on Thursday recommended that a booster vaccine for pertussis, or whooping cough, routinely be given to all 11- and 12-year-olds, the New York Times reports.
Witnesses at House Hearing Say United States Unprepared To Address Flu Pandemic
The United States has ordered 2.3 million doses of flu treatment Tamiflu, enough to treat less than 1% of the U.S. population in the event of an avian flu pandemic, the CEO of Tamiflu maker Hoffmann-La Roche told lawmakers at a House Government Reform Committee hearing on Thursday, CQ HealthBeat reports.
Canada Announces Proposal To Ban Bulk Prescription Drug Exports
Canadian Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh on Wednesday announced that Canada plans to take legislative action to ban bulk exports of prescription drugs to the United States in the event of a domestic shortage, the Washington Post reports.
Senate Approves Measure To Ban EPA Human Pesticide Studies
The Senate on Wednesday voted 60-37 to approve an amendment to the fiscal year 2006 Environmental Protection Agency and Interior Department appropriations bill (HR 2361) that would ban EPA from considering studies that intentionally expose humans to pesticides, the AP/Las Vegas Sun reports.
Investigation of Alleged Cadaver Sales From UCLA Medical School Program Criticized
A Superior Court judge and plaintiffs’ attorneys are criticizing a University of California-Los Angeles Police Department investigation into the alleged sale of almost 500 cadavers donated to the UCLA School of Medicine’s willed-body program in March 2004, the Los Angeles Times reports.
President Bush Signs ‘Patient Navigator’ Legislation
President Bush on Wednesday signed into law a bill that will establish a “patient navigator” system to help patients with chronic illnesses make medical decisions, CongressDaily reports.
Increase in HHSA, Other Health-Related Jobs Possible Under Schwarzenegger State Budget Proposal
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s (R) administration has proposed creating 6,288 jobs in the fiscal year that begins Friday, including a 4% staff increase at the Health and Human Services Agency, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Santa Clara County Healthy Kids Program Expands Coverage
An additional 1,000 children will receive coverage through the Santa Clara Family Health Plan as a result of a $1.5 million funding increase from First 5 Santa Clara County, a commission that distributes the county’s share of state tobacco tax funds to various early childhood development programs, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Grassley Says Pharmaceutical Fraud in Medicaid ‘Must Be Addressed’
Senate Finance Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Wednesday, the second day of the committee’s two-day hearing on Medicaid, said there is “evidence of systemic, industrywide problems” regarding the drug industry’s price manipulation for Medicaid and Medicare, Reuters reports.
Legislators Expected To Miss Thursday Deadline To Approve State Budget
Chances that legislators will approve a fiscal year 2005-2006 state budget by a constitutional deadline Thursday are “probably impossible” as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and lawmakers continue to disagree over several issues, including funding for the In-Home Support Services program, the Sacramento Bee reports.