Latest California Healthline Stories
Harrigan Says He Does Not Expect Re-Election To CalPERS Board
CalPERS President Sean Harrigan on Tuesday said he does not expect to be elected to another term in an election Wednesday because of CalPERS’ recent positions on issues including health care costs, the New York Times reports.
Many Nursing Homes Not in Compliance With Federal Standards, Analysis Finds
Although nursing home care in California has improved since 2000, 31% of the state’s 1,400 nursing homes fail to meet the state’s minimum staffing requirements, and 90% of the state’s skilled nursing facilities do not comply with all federal care standards, according to an analysis for the California HealthCare Foundation conducted by the University of California-San Francisco, the Sacramento Bee reports.
FDA Advisory Panel To Consider Proctor & Gamble Testosterone Patch for Women
An FDA advisory committee on Thursday will meet to consider whether to recommend Proctor & Gamble’s Intrinsa testosterone patch, “the first of a wave of new products” — so-called “female Viagra” therapies — that are “intended to boost women’s sex drive with male hormones,” the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Study Finds Biological Link Between Stress, Rapid Aging
The “first direct link between stress and aging” has been identified by researchers from the University of California-San Francisco and colleagues, helping explain why people who undergo long-term emotional strain are more prone to physical illnesses and accelerated aging, the Washington Post reports.
Wall Street Journal Examines Hospital ‘SWAT’ Team Concept for Emergency Care
The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday looked at a new strategy U.S. hospitals are adopting that involves the use of a “SWAT team concept” to decrease mortality rates by “eliminating red tape that causes delays in assisting critically ill patients.”
Georgia Approves WellPoint-Anthem Merger; Agreement Complete
Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine (R) on Tuesday approved a $16.4 billion merger between California-based WellPoint Health Networks and Indiana-based Anthem after Anthem agreed to provide a total of $126.5 million for health care programs, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
PacifiCare Purchases Group Health Unit of Pacific Life Insurance
Cypress-based PacifiCare Health Systems on Monday announced that it will purchase the group health business of Newport Beach-based Pacific Life Insurance for an undisclosed amount, the Orange County Register reports.
Officials for the secretary of state on Tuesday said ongoing tabulation of 17 counties’ absentee and provisional ballots from the Nov. 2 election show a larger percentage of support to uphold SB 2, a state law requiring some employers to provide health care benefits to workers, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Hospital Workers Plan One-Day Strike To Protest Staffing Policies, Will Be Locked Out Until Monday
About 7,000 hospital workers at nine Sutter Health hospitals planned a one-day strike Wednesday, but hospital officials said they would lock out employees until Monday, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Advocates Focus on Gender Inequalities on World AIDS Day
AIDS advocates and health workers on Wednesday marked World AIDS Day by focusing on gender inequalities that can lead to an increased risk of HIV infection among women and girls, the AP/Long Island Newsday reports.