Latest California Healthline Stories
VA To Terminate Use of $472 Million Computer System
The Department of Veterans Affairs is ending the trial of a $472 million computer system at the Florida-based Bay Pines VA Medical Center after the system failed, the St. Petersburg Times reports.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Other Speakers Address Health Care at Democratic National Convention
Dozens of speakers — including former President Bill Clinton, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and former Vice President Al Gore — at the Democratic National Convention on Monday said presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry’s (Mass.) economic policies will help control health care costs “while expanding medical coverage to working families,” CBS’ MarketWatch reports.
WellPoint To Sue Garamendi for Decision To Block BCBS Sale in Anthem Merger
Officials for Thousand Oaks-based WellPoint Health Networks on Monday said the company plans to file suit against Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi (D) over allegations that he misused his authority in rejecting part of teh company’s proposed merger with Indianapolis-based Anthem, the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
Presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee Sen. John Kerry Promotes Health Care Plan in Florida
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry (Mass.) on Monday in a campaign speech at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., promoted a U.S. health care system for “the future,” the Dallas Morning News reports.
Schwarzenegger Vetoes Bill To Allow Hot Springs To Remain Untreated With Chemicals
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) last week vetoed a bill (SB 1492) that would have exempted natural hot spring resorts from the state Public Swimming Pool Safety Act, which means that such springs might be treated with chemicals like those used in public swimming pools, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Best Buy, California State Council of Service Employees Contribute to Proposition 72 Campaigns
The Service Employees International Union California State Council and Best Buy have donated funds to campaigns related to Proposition 72, a referendum on SB 2, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Enloe Medical Center Hires Firm To Help Address Financial Problems for Home Health Care Agency
Chico-based not-for-profit Enloe Medical Center has hired Gentiva Health Services to help address financial losses at its home health care agency, which provides at-home care for some patients after their hospital stays, the Chico Enterprise-Record reports
Workers’ Compensation Bureau To File for Advisory Insurance Rate Increase
The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau this week is expected to file with the Department of Insurance a 3.5% advisory rate increase for workers’ compensation policies, the Oakland Tribune reports.
Seven Pharmaceutical Companies Among 36 Top Contributors to Democratic National Convention
Seven pharmaceutical companies are among the 36 top contributors to the Democratic National Convention, donating a total of between $2.5 and $5 million, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Bush Administration Begins To Intervene in Product Liability Lawsuits, New York Times Reports
The Bush administration has begun to intervene in product liability lawsuits filed against pharmaceutical and medical device companies over claims that consumers cannot recover damages for injuries from products approved by FDA, the New York Times reports.