Latest California Healthline Stories
Senate Likely Will Not Vote on Amendment To Modify Stem Cell Initiative
The Senate is “unlikely” to place a proposed state constitutional amendment (SCA 13) by Sen. Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento) on the November special election ballot and instead will ask the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee to implement additional rules by its July 12 meeting, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Officials Seek Exemption to Rule for Federal Funding at Modesto Mental Health Center
Stanislaus County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Director Dan Souza and Reps. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.) and George Radanovich (R-Calif.) plan to discuss federal funding for Stanislaus Behavioral Health Center with CMS officials next week, the Modesto Bee reports.
Senate Panel OKs Crawford’s FDA Commissioner Nomination; Floor Vote Blocked
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Wednesday approved the nomination of acting FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford to head the agency, but several committee members placed a hold on his nomination, blocking immediate consideration of it on the Senate floor, the AP/Yahoo! News reports.
House Rejects Amendment To Protect Users of Medical Marijuana
The House on Wednesday voted 264-161 to reject an amendment under which the Department of Justice could not have used federal funds to prosecute individuals who use marijuana for medical purposes in states that allow the practice, the AP/Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Governors’ Medicaid Proposal Supported by GOP Lawmakers
Virginia Gov. Mark Warner (D), chair of the National Governors Association, and Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R), NGA vice chair, on Wednesday discussed with the Senate Finance and House Energy and Commerce committees the group’s proposals to slow Medicaid spending growth, marking the “opening move in this year’s debate over” the program, the Wall Street Journal reports.
PhRMA Prescription Drug Discount Measure Qualifies for Special Election Ballot
A measure supported by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America that would create a voluntary prescription drug discount program for low- and moderate-income state residents on Wednesday qualified for the November statewide ballot, the Sacramento Bee reports.
California Supreme Court Rejects Lawsuit Protesting New Workers’ Compensation Rules
The California Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected without comment a lawsuit filed by the California Labor Federation against the Division of Workers’ Compensation that challenged recently enacted workers’ compensation rules to determine permanent disability awards, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Chiron Reduces Production Estimate for Flu Vaccine, Second Shortage Possible
Flu vaccine manufacturer Chiron on Wednesday said it plans to produce 18 million to 26 million doses of its Fluvirin vaccine for the 2005-2006 season, down from an April forecast of 25 million to 30 million doses, the AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports.
Rodham Clinton, Frist To Introduce Bill To Establish Health Care Information Technology Network
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) on Wednesday announced a plan to introduce a bill that would establish a health information technology network to improve access to medical information, the New York Daily News reports.
Riverside County To Overhaul Sexual Abuse Unit at Hospital
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday agreed to make changes to the county’s hospital unit for sexual abuse victims, the Los Angeles Times reports.