Latest California Healthline Stories
Antonovich Calls for Investigation of Former Head of County OAPP
Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich on Thursday asked prosecutors to investigate allegations that former county Office of AIDS Programs and Policy Director Charles Henry violated state law related to his work for then-mayoral candidate Antonio Villaraigosa (D), the Los Angeles Times reports.
House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee Approves Spending Bill
The House Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee on Thursday approved by voice vote the Labor, Health, Human Services, Education and Related Agencies draft bill for fiscal year 2006, CQ Today reports.
Senators To Block Crawford Nomination as FDA Head Over Condoms, Emergency Contraception
Three senators have said they will block a full Senate vote on acting FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford’s nomination to head the agency because of FDA’s delay in issuing a decision about whether emergency contraception can be made available without a prescription and because the agency has not required condom packages to include warnings saying that they do not provide complete protection against sexually transmitted diseases, the New York Times reports.
Hospital Funding, Contract Issues Examined
California Healthline highlights recent hospital news, including funding and contract developments.
American Medical Association To Consider Supporting Legislation Restricting Where Doctors Can Work
The American Medical Association’s Board of Trustees will recommend to the group’s House of Delegates that it consider pushing for state or federal legislation to forbid corporations and hospitals from directly employing physicians, the Miami Herald reports.
Costco Pilot Program Will Let Some Members Purchase Health Insurance
Costco officials have announced plans to launch a pilot program in Southern California next month that will let “executive” members purchase family or individual health insurance policies, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Schwarzenegger Medicaid Proposal Draws Criticism From Some Public, Private Hospital Administrators
Hospital and health care advocates say that a proposed agreement on Medicaid funding between Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and the federal government “could place new financial burdens” on counties facing budget issues, the Los Angeles Times reports.
FDA, Pharmaceutical Industry Officials Testify on Prescription Drug Safety System
A “lot of improvement” is possible in the U.S. drug safety system, but FDA should not be held solely accountable for the system, acting FDA Deputy Commissioner Janet Woodcock told an Institute of Medicine committee on Wednesday, USA Today reports.
Democrats Call for Investigation of Department of Justice Lawsuit Against Tobacco Companies
Several Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday called on the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General to investigate “possible political interference by Bush appointees in the government’s tobacco case,” the Washington Post reports.
House Approves Measure To Prevent Conflicts of Interest on FDA Advisory Committees
The House on Wednesday voted 218-210 to approve an amendment to the fiscal year 2006 agriculture appropriations bill (HR 2744), under which scientists who serve on FDA advisory committees could not have a financial interest in the medications and medical devices that they would review, CQ Today reports.