Latest California Healthline Stories
House Approves Bill To Loosen Restrictions on Federally Funded Embryonic Stem Cell Research
The House on Tuesday approved 238-194 a bill (HR 810) that would loosen restrictions on federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research, USA Today reports.
Grassley Bill Would End Federal Coverage of Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction
Senate Finance Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) on Tuesday introduced a bill that would end Medicare and Medicaid coverage for erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra, the Washington Times reports.
Santa Clara County Approves Contract With San Jose Hospital for Trauma Services
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted unanimously to approve a contract with Regional Medical Center of San Jose and designate Regional a trauma center, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Patient Advocate for Diabetes Resigns From Stem Cell Oversight Committee
Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee member Phyllis Preciado on Monday resigned from the committee, which was created by Proposition 71 to help administer the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the Fresno Bee reports.
New Business Seeks To Provide Medical Care Via Telephone
USA Today on Wednesday looked at Dallas-based TelaDoc, a new service that allows patients to telephone a doctor for medical advice rather than being treated by primary care providers, urgent care clinics or emergency departments.
Children Living Close to Freeways Have Higher Rates of Asthma, Study Finds
Children in the state who live close to a freeway or major road are more likely to have asthma, according to a study by researchers from the University of Southern California, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
CMS To Mail Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Applications To Low-Income Seniors
The federal government in the near future will mail applications for the new Medicare prescription drug benefit to an estimated 15 million low-income beneficiaries who qualify for additional financial assistance with their medication costs, the AP/Las Vegas Sun reports.
Investment Groups Reach Agreement on Loan for Orange County Hospitals
Costa Mesa-based Integrated Healthcare Holdings said in a public filing Monday that it will allow Orange County Physicians’ Investment Network three more months to pay $15 million in overdue loan payments, the Orange County Register reports.
Los Angeles Times Examines Oregon Assisted-Suicide Law
The Los Angeles Times on Tuesday examined Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act, the 1994 law that serves as a model for a California bill (AB 654) that would legalize physician-assisted suicide in some cases.
Three Pharmaceutical Companies Fail To Provide Data on Clinical Trials, Journal Editor Says
Jeffrey Drazen, editor in chief of the New England Journal of Medicine, said on Monday that three of the largest pharmaceutical companies — GlaxoSmithKline, Merck and Pfizer — are “making a mockery” of efforts to offer more transparency in clinical trials by failing to provide accurate information about their studies, the AP/Hartford Courant reports.