Latest California Healthline Stories
Division of Workers’ Compensation Holds Hearing on Emergency Regulations; Burton Voices Concern
The Division of Workers’ Compensation on Monday held a hearing on emergency regulations to implement 2004 legislation (SB 899) to reform the state workers’ compensation insurance system, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Health Care Providers, Advocates Recommend Proposals To Address Medical Malpractice Issue
“President Bush’s decision to put malpractice reform near the top of his domestic agenda” and the “fact that Congress is deadlocked over Bush’s specific proposal” for a $250,000 cap on noneconomic damage awards have “opened the door for consideration” of other reform proposals, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality on Monday released its second annual report comparing the 50 states and the District of Columbia in 14 categories of health care quality, the AP/Long Island Newsday reports.
Lawmakers Consider Legislation Requiring Pharmacists To Dispense All Legal Drugs
California lawmakers on Tuesday are scheduled to consider legislation that would require pharmacists to fill prescriptions for all legal drugs, including emergency contraception, unless another pharmacist is available to fill the prescription without unduly inconveniencing the consumer, the Los Angeles Times reports.
HHS Awards Contract to Sanofi Pasteur To Purchase Flu Vaccine Production Technology
HHS officials have awarded a $97 million contract to Sanofi Pasteur for Sanofi Aventis’ vaccine unit to purchase technology that could reduce by half the amount of time needed to manufacture influenza vaccine, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Former America Online Chair Steve Case Launches Venture To Reform Health Care System
Former America Online Chair Steve Case on Monday announced that he is launching a business venture that will own controlling stakes in corporations that offer health care services, manage resort properties or operate in associated fields, the Washington Post reports.
PhRMA Withdraws Proposed Ballot Measure To Cap Contingency Fees for Attorneys
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America on Monday announced that it will withdraw a proposed ballot initiative that would have placed a cap on attorneys’ contingency fees, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Reimbursement Rates for Medicare Advantage Plans To Increase by 4.8% in 2006, CMS Announces
Reimbursement rates for Medicare Advantage plans will increase by 4.8% in 2006, compared with 6.6% in 2005 and 10.6% in 2004, CMS announced on Monday, CQ HealthBeat reports.
Grant Funds Program To Address Childhood Obesity in Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County will implement a program to address obesity among county children using a $50,000 grant from the California HealthCare Foundation, the Oakland Tribune reports.
Groups Announce Launch of State Organ Donation Web Site
A coalition of groups that allocate organs to hospitals on Monday announced the launch of a Web site where California residents can register to be organ donors, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.