Latest California Healthline Stories
President Bush Criticizes Rival Sen. John Kerry on Medical Liability Reform Issue in Campaign Speech
President Bush on Tuesday in a campaign speech in Missouri — a state that “both parties regard as crucial to win the White House in November” — criticized Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry (Mass.) for his position on the issue of medical liability reform and his selection of Sen. John Edwards (N.C.), a former trial attorney, as Democratic vice presidential nominee, the Kansas City Star reports.
Review Finds Higher Rates of Some Cancers Near Some Los Angeles County Freeways
Southeastern regions of Los Angeles County near local freeways showed “unexpectedly high levels” of throat cancer and a type of lung and bronchial cancer, according to a review of reported cancer cases published in June in a book called “Cancers in the Urban Environment,” the Los Angeles Times reports.
Large Differences in Medigap Plan Premiums Exist Nationwide, Analysis Finds
There are “dramatic variations” nationwide in premium amounts for “identical coverage” under Medigap plans, according to a Weiss Ratings analysis of more than 800,000 premium rates among 129 insurers nationwide offering plans this year, the Baton Rouge Advocate reports.
Statewide Computer Network Could Help Deal With Large-Scale Disasters
California has plans to link computer networks in its 58 counties, which could help medical personnel in the event of a large-scale disaster, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Former CMS Administrator Tom Scully Should Have To Return Half of Salary, GAO Says
Former CMS Administrator Thomas Scully should be required to repay about half of his $145,600 salary for last year because he “improperly” ordered Medicare’s chief actuary to withhold from Congress information about the cost of the new Medicare law, according to a formal legal opinion issued Tuesday by the Government Accountability Office, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
The University of California-San Francisco will maintain and rebuild part of its Parnassus Heights medical center and open three smaller specialty hospitals at its Mission Bay campus, according to plans announced Thursday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Former Secretary of State Shultz Announces Support for Measure To Fund Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz on Tuesday endorsed Proposition 71, a measure on the Nov. 2 statewide ballot that would issue state bonds to raise an average of $295 million annually over 10 years to promote human embryonic stem cell research, the Sacramento Bee reports.
An editorial, opinion piece and letter to the editor recently addressed Proposition 67, a measure on the Nov. 2 statewide ballot that would add a 3% surcharge to residential telephone bills to fund hospital emergency services and training. The measure would generate an estimated $550 million annually.
San Jose Mercury News Editorial Addresses Health-Related Measures on Nov. 2 Statewide Ballot
There is “ample reason” to oppose Propositions 67 and 72, which are “simple” and “inappropriate” proposals to address “complex” and “pressing” problems, a San Jose Mercury News editorial states.
Federal Budget Deficit Reaches $422 Billion in Fiscal Year 2004; Outlook for Medicare Worsens
The federal budget deficit will reach a “record” $422 billion, or 3.6% of gross domestic product, in fiscal year 2004 and is expected to rise to $2.3 trillion over the next 10 years, in part because of the rising cost of programs such as Medicare and Social Security, according to new figures released Tuesday by the Congressional Budget Office, the Washington Post reports.