Latest California Healthline Stories
Lawsuit Could Delay Stem Cell Research Grant Awards
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine might not be able to award grants for stem cell research until California courts resolve a lawsuit alleging that Proposition 71 improperly distributes public funds without legislative oversight, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Two legislative committees on Tuesday voted to defeat bills that would have granted immunity to fast food restaurants and some other food makers in lawsuits alleging that the restaurants and food makers were liable for customers’ weight gain or health problems, the Tri-Valley Herald reports.
Leavitt Calls for Development of Standards for Health Care Information Technology Systems
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt on Monday said that the federal government and health care industry must make a “forced march commitment” to develop national standards for health care information technology systems, CQ HealthBeat reports.
University of California Extends California Nurses Association Contract for Three Weeks
The University of California on Friday agreed to a three-week contract extension with the California Nurses Association, which represents 8,300 registered nurses at five UC hospitals statewide, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Kerry Addresses Children’s Health Insurance Bill
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) on Monday held a rally in Seattle to build support for legislation (SB 114) that would expand health insurance coverage for people less than 21 years of age, the Seattle Times reports.
Laundry Workers Who Provide Linens to Hospitals Plan Strike for Thursday
Laundry workers represented by the Unite Here union on Thursday will strike at 15 Angelica plants that supply linens to health care facilities in Southern California, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Former Rep. Billy Tauzin Discusses Tasks Ahead as CEO of PhRMA
The best way for the pharmaceutical industry to improve its image is to for drug makers to “[s]top doing bad things,” Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America CEO and former Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.) said at a Monday press briefing, CQ HealthBeat reports.
Some Researchers Voice Concern About Economic Effects of Childhood Obesity in California
More than 25% of California students are overweight, and some health researchers are concerned that this population as adults “will spend more time in the hospital and less at work” than previous generations, the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
San Francisco Leads Competition for Stem Cell Institute Headquarters After Site Visits
San Francisco continued to lead the competition to host the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine on Monday, despite a third-place ranking by CIRM’s site-selection subcommittee in the on-site component of the evaluation, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
California Healthline Highlights Recent Medicare News
California Healthline features articles on recent Medicare news.