Latest California Healthline Stories
Lee Iacocca Launches Campaign To Seek Cure for Type 1 Diabetes
Former auto executive Lee Iacocca on Monday launched a campaign called Join Lee Now to finance clinical trials to find a cure for type 1 diabetes, the AP/Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports.
A ballot initiative to amend the state constitution to deny non-federally mandated government benefits, including state-subsidized health and welfare benefits, to undocumented immigrants was submitted for review to the attorney general’s office last week, the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
Elastar Community Hospital To Close
U.S Bankruptcy Court Judge John Ryan on Friday ordered Elastar Community Hospital in East Los Angeles to close, a decision that is “expected to be another blow” to Los Angeles County’s emergency care system, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Medicare beneficiaries could save an average of 20%, or $775 over 18 months, on their medications under the new prescription drug discount card program — a figure that appears to be “in line” with earlier estimates by federal officials, according to a study released Friday, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee Edwards Discusses Health Care Proposals in Campaign Speeches
Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. John Edwards (N.C.) this weekend “continu[ed] a push to court older voters” by saying in speeches that he would “stand up to these drug companies and stand up for the American people,” the AP/Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Four health-related measures that will appear on the Nov. 2 statewide ballot are receiving varying levels of support from state residents who are “generally not familiar” with the measures, according to a Field Poll survey released Sunday, the Stockton Record reports.
USA Today on Monday examined a 1996 law mandating that drug companies that plead guilty to or are convicted of health care fraud felonies after Aug. 21, 1996, be banned from doing business with federal programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.
Staffing, Budget Reductions Affect Operations at Medical, Dental Boards
Staffing and budget reductions in recent years have “hamstrung” efforts at state regulatory boards, including the Medical Board of California and the Dental Board of California, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Los Angeles Times Examines Trend Toward Consumer-Directed Health Plans
The Los Angeles Times on Monday looked at the increase in popularity of consumer-directed health plans, which have double or triple the deductibles of traditional health plans and offer “incentives and support” to help people “spend their health care dollars wisely.”
The New York Times on Saturday examined how President Bush “has been particularly aggressive” in the use of federal regulations, rather than legislation, to advance his agenda in health-related and other policy areas.