Latest California Healthline Stories
Stem Cell Board Voices Opposition to Proposed Revision of Proposition 71
Members of the Independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee on Monday voiced opposition to a proposed amendment (SCA 13) to the state constitution that would revise provisions of Proposition 71, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Contra Costa County Public Employee Health Care Costs Increasing
The cost of providing health care benefits for Contra Costa County public employees and retirees has increased by 130% since 2000 and will reach an estimated $82 million next year, the Contra Costa Times reports.
House Approves Amendment To Ban Federal Studies of Pesticides on Humans
The House on Thursday approved by voice vote a proposal that would bar the Environmental Protection Agency from “conducting or accepting any studies that test pesticides on humans,” the Washington Post reports.
Survey Finds Price Differences Among Hospitals in Santa Clara County
Prices for 10 common medical procedures vary substantially among six Santa Clara County hospitals, according to a survey by the San Jose Mercury News.
San Joaquin Supervisors Vote To Reduce Substance Abuse Services Funding
The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors last week voted 3-2 to reduce county-run drug rehabilitation services — including methadone treatment, outpatient care and residential treatment centers — the Tri-Valley Herald reports.
Leavitt Says Electronic Health Records Could Reduce Costs, Medical Errors
Adopting electronic health records is an “economic imperative” that could reduce medical errors and health care costs, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said on Monday in a talk with about 160 medical faculty members at Stanford University School of Medicine, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
The National Association of Health Underwriters recently launched a Web site that provides information on health insurance options for low-income U.S. residents and those who change jobs or have pre-existing health problems, the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports.
CMS on Monday clarified that states have the ability to block Medicaid coverage of erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra for convicted sex offenders, USA Today reports.
FDA Officials Outline Rules for Oversight Board, Drug Safety Initiatives
Members of FDA’s new Drug Safety Oversight Board will be subject to strict conflict-of-interest requirements under rules outlined on Friday by Steven Galson, acting director of the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Garamendi Plans Hearings To Address Workers’ Compensation Insurance Pricing
Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi (D) on Thursday said he would convene hearings to address pricing practices of workers’ compensation insurers because premiums have not declined by as much as he has recommended, the Sacramento Bee reports.