Latest California Healthline Stories
Cancer Medication Iressa Does Not Extend Patient Survival Times, Could Face Market Removal
AstraZeneca’s targeted cancer drug Iressa does not prolong the lives of people with advanced lung cancer “by a meaningful amount,” according to clinical trials published Friday, and FDA officials are considering removing the drug from the market, the New York Times reports.
Jack in the Box’s Health Insurance Plan Examined
The San Diego Union-Tribune on Thursday looked at San Diego-based restaurant chain Jack in the Box’s recent efforts to provide health coverage to hourly workers, a decision that is “unusual because it is available to everyone, offers a variety of options and is partially employer-paid.”
State Reaches Contract Agreement With Psychiatric Aides
The administration of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Thursday announced that it has reached an agreement with the California Association of Psychiatric Technicians on a contract proposal that would provide a 5% wage increase, the Sacramento Bee reports.
American Medical Association Surveys Indicate Rise in Girls’ Consumption of Alcohol
The percentage of teenage girls who drink alcoholic beverages is growing faster than that of boys, and girls, on average, have their first alcoholic drink at age 13, according to the American Medical Association, Long Island Newsday reports.
California Endowment Awards Grants To Healthy Kids Programs
The California Endowment on Wednesday awarded $4 million in grants to Healthy Kids programs throughout the state, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Health Insurance Premiums in California Increase by 11.4% in 2004, Study Finds
Health insurance premiums in California increased by an average of 11.4% this year, more than six times the state’s 1.7% rate of inflation, according to a study by the California HealthCare Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust released Thursday, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Stem Cell Research Panel Meeting Agenda Cropped Due to Criticism
Treasurer Phil Angelides (D) and Controller Steve Westly (D) on Thursday made “last-minute changes” to the agenda of the inaugural meeting of the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee, the panel created by Proposition 71 to oversee administration of stem cell research funds, because critics said the session violated state open-meeting laws, the Sacramento Bee reports.
President Bush Opens Health Savings Account for Himself and Family
President Bush this week established a tax-deferred health savings account despite the fact that, as commander in chief, he receives health care at no cost from the military, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Orange County Medi-Cal Billing System Expected To Be Functional in April
A computer billing system for Orange County to submit Medi-Cal claims to the state is expected to be operating in April, nearly three years after it was supposed to be operational, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Health Care Costs Are Slowing States’ Continued Fiscal Recovery, NGA Says
States’ financial situations continued to improve this year, but states’ full recovery from the “worst fiscal crisis in six decades” has been stymied by “soaring health care costs,” according to a new report from the National Governors Association, the New York Times reports.