Latest California Healthline Stories
High-Risk People Forgoing Flu Vaccine Despite Adequate Supplies, Surveys Find
The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on Friday will meet to consider easing its recommendations on who should receive flu vaccinations as a new survey finds that only 34.8% of high-risk residents were vaccinated and as health officials fear some doses might go unused, USA Today reports.
HHS Secretary Nominee Leavitt’s Medicaid Reform Efforts Examined
The Wall Street Journal on Friday looked at HHS Secretary nominee Michael Leavitt’s experience with Medicaid reform, noting that Leavitt, if confirmed, would be the “point man for the White House agenda” on various health reform efforts.
President Bush Calls Medical Malpractice Reform a Priority
President Bush on Wednesday told participants in a two-day economic summit in Washington, D.C., that he is “passionate” about curbing medical malpractice lawsuits and that passing legal reform legislation will be a “priority” in his second term, the Washington Times reports.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is expected to propose larger spending reductions for health-related and other programs than previously anticipated because of an estimated $8 billion state budget deficit for fiscal year 2005-2006, $1.3 billion more than the legislative analyst’s office projected last month, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Tauzin Accepts Position as President and CEO of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.) will become president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical and Research Manufacturers of America when he retires from the House in January, the group announced Wednesday, USA Today reports.
Contra Costa County Approves Ordinances Addressing Syringe Sales, Healthy Snacks
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an ordinance to allow the sale of syringes without a prescription, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Heart-Related Results of Wayne State Study of Birth Control Pills Incorrect
Federal health officials on Wednesday said that a new analysis by senior statisticians suggests that the heart disease findings of a Wayne State University oral contraceptive study were “flawed” and other findings also are considered suspect, the AP/Yahoo! News reports
Ongoing Trial Complicating Tenet’s Efforts for Separate Settlement
A lawsuit in a San Diego court against California-based Tenet Healthcare that alleges violations related to physician kickbacks, medical billing and cardiac procedures is complicating the company’s efforts to settle patient lawsuits at other hospitals, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Delay of Inaugural Meeting of Stem Cell Research Panel Sought
Two attorneys have asked Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D) to delay the first meeting of the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee, the panel created by Proposition 71 to oversee administration of stem cell research funds, claiming that notice of the session was not adequately publicized, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
About one-fourth of Sacramento-area CalPERS members opted to pay higher premiums to retain access to Sutter Health facilities and physicians, after CalPERS decided to end coverage at those facilities under its Blue Shield of California HMO, the Sacramento Bee reports.