Latest California Healthline Stories
Sponsor Makes Changes to Bill To Ban Mercury in Vaccines
Assembly member Fran Pavley (D-Woodland Hills) in a “last-minute push” to gain legislative approval this week made changes to a bill (AB 2943) that would ban pregnant women and children from receiving vaccines that contain a preservative made with ethyl mercury, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Los Angeles City Council Votes To Endorse Ballot Initiative To Fund Stem Cell Research
The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday unanimously voted to endorse Proposition 71, a proposed ballot initiative that would raise an average of $295 million annually for a decade to promote stem cell research through the issue of state bonds, the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
Medical Marijuana Patients Sue for Return of Drug, Cash Value
Thirty-eight people who use marijuana for medical reasons on Tuesday filed simultaneous lawsuits asking the federal government to return about $970,000 worth of marijuana seized by law enforcement officials over the last several years, USA Today reports.
Schwarzenegger Announces Nominations to California Medical Board
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Thursday announced seven nominations to the Medical Board of California’s Division of Medical Quality and two nominations to the board’s Division of Licensing.
Alta Bates Implements Parts of Rejected Contract, Will Not Withhold Union Dues From Paychecks
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center officials have begun implementing parts of a final contract offer that unionized workers in June “overwhelmingly rejected,” the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Assembly Committee Chair Recommends Voluntary Practices for Adult Film Industry
The Southern California-based adult film industry should voluntarily adopt practices to prevent the spread of disease among adult film actors, Assembly Labor and Employment Committee Chair Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood) said Tuesday, the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
Boston Globe Examines Concern Over New Rules for Undocumented Immigrants
The Boston Globe on Thursday examined concerns from hospital officials and advocates for immigrants about proposed HHS guidelines that will require hospitals to ask patients about their immigration status to obtain federal funds for providing indigent emergency care.
Federal Efforts To Combat Medicaid Fraud Inadequate, GAO Finds
Fraud is “widespread” in the Medicaid program, and the federal government’s efforts to combat it are inadequate, according to a Government Accountability Office report released Wednesday, the AP/Austin American-Statesman reports.
MemorialCare Moves To Buy San Clemente Hospital
MemorialCare, which owns Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills, is taking steps to purchase San Clemente Hospital and Medical Center, officials from both hospitals announced Monday, the Orange County Register reports.
Medicare Drug Benefit Formulary Proposal Set To Be Unveiled
The United States Pharmacopeial Convention is set to unveil as early as Thursday its proposed formulary for the new Medicare prescription drug benefit, the Wall Street Journal reports.