Latest California Healthline Stories
Five-Part San Francisco Chronicle Series Examines Areas in State With High Infant Mortality Rates
The San Francisco Chronicle this week is publishing a five-part series, titled “Too Young to Die,” that examines infant mortality in areas that have the highest rates in the state.
Northridge Hospital Closes ED Monday
Northridge Hospital Medical Center-Sherman Way on Monday closed its emergency department two months ahead of schedule because hospital officials could not meet state requirements that facilities with EDs have on call physicians with certain skills, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Sacramento Bee, Editorials Examine Propositions 72, 67
The Sacramento Bee on Monday examined how SB 2 could employers and workers in the state.
Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights Chair Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) and ranking member Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) on Friday introduced a bill that would provide HHS with more authority to regulate the sale of medical supplies to hospitals, a “part of the economy where numerous abuses have been uncovered in the last two years,” the New York Times reports.
Senators Might Filibuster Corporate Tax Relief Bill Without FDA Tobacco Regulation Provision
Sens. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) and Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) this week said that they might filibuster a version of a corporate tax relief bill reported by a conference committee if the legislation does not include a provision that would allow FDA to regulate the manufacture, promotion and sale of cigarettes, the Washington Post reports.
Rep. Nick Smith Responds To Congressional Admonishment Over Actions Related to New Medicare Law
Rep. Nick Smith (R-Mich.) on Friday released statements responding to a House ethics committee’s public admonishment released last week concerning his and two other lawmakers’ actions during last year’s vote on the new Medicare law, CongressDaily reports.
U.S. Supreme Court To Review Medical Marijuana Decision in Upcoming Term
The Supreme Court on Monday will begin a new term during which it will examine the legality of prosecuting chronically ill people who grow and use marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation, the AP/Seattle Times reports.
Passage of Stem Cell Ballot Measure Would Attract New Businesses to State, Analysis Says
Proposition 71, a measure on the Nov. 2 statewide ballot that would fund embryonic stem cell research, would result in “new businesses that would otherwise not be in California,” according to an analysis by the Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Merck Recall of Arthritis Medication Vioxx Prompts New Questions on FDA Effectiveness
Merck’s voluntary recall of its arthritis drug Vioxx on Thursday “lends new urgency” to congressional inquiries into how effectively FDA responds to drug safety concerns, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry (Mass.) this week in speeches and advertisements will “shift the battle with President Bush from the war in Iraq and foreign policy to domestic issues, such as health care, with the second presidential debate on Friday in St. Louis expected to focus on such issues, the New York Times reports.