Latest California Healthline Stories
FDA Approves Heart Failure Drug for Use in Black Patients
FDA on Thursday approved BiDil, a heart failure medication developed by Massachusetts-based NitroMed, for use in black patients, a “controversial step toward a new frontier of personalized medicine,” the New York Times reports.
Raided Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Were Fronts for Illicit Drug Ring, Federal Authorities Say
Wednesday’s raids of 23 residences and businesses and three medical marijuana dispensaries in San Francisco were part of a federal investigation into a multimillion-dollar illicit drug dealing and money laundering operation in which medical marijuana dispensaries in California were used as fronts for an international drug ring, federal authorities said on Thursday, the New York Times reports.
State Audit Estimates Medi-Cal Expenditures for Erectile Dysfunction Drugs
Medi-Cal provided reimbursement for erectile dysfunction drugs for at least 137 registered sex offenders in the past year, according to an audit by Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D), the AP/San Jose Mercury News reports.
CNA Urges UC Nurses To Vote for One-Day Strike
The California Nurses Association on Wednesday recommended that University of California nurses reject a contract proposal by the UC system and approve a possible one-day strike in response to failed contract negotiations, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
The Assembly on Thursday voted to approve a bill (AB 794) indicating that California plans to spend $304 million in federal funds to assist pregnant women — not just children as stated in the federal guidelines — and that legislators have “no intention of altering women’s reproductive rights,” the Sacramento Bee reports.
VA Has $1B Budget Deficit Related to Health Care Costs
The Department of Veterans Affairs has an unexpected $1 billion shortfall in its current budget for veterans’ health care, the AP/Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Hospitals Announce Sales, Construction News
California Healthline highlights recent hospital news, including sales and construction developments.
Wall Street Journal Examines Asset-Recovery Programs for Medicaid Reimbursements
The Wall Street Journal on Friday examined how “many states are embracing” the method of recouping Medicaid costs for nursing home and other care by claiming the estates of beneficiaries after they die.
Jackson Discusses Health Effects of Conventional Urban Planning, Addresses Resignation
Conventional urban planning — which often requires travel by automobile and lacks walking or biking paths — contributes to increased rates of obesity, hypertension, depression and stress, Public Health Officer Richard Jackson said in a speech on Wednesday in Modesto, the Modesto Bee reports.
Canada Plans To Restrict Online Sales of Prescription Drugs to United States
Canada plans to announce measures that would restrict online sales of prescription drugs to U.S. consumers, Canadian Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh said on Thursday, AP/Long Island Newsday reports.