Latest California Healthline Stories
More Canadian Pharmacies Seek Non-U.S. Pharmaceutical Supplies
Two newspapers recently examined the increased number of Canadian pharmacies that have begun to seek supplies from outside the United States because U.S. pharmaceutical companies have limited supplies to the pharmacies to help prevent reimportation of their products to U.S. residents.
Garamendi Blocks Part of Proposed Merger Between WellPoint Health Networks, Anthem
Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi (D) on Friday rejected part of a proposed merger between Thousand Oaks-based WellPoint Health Networks and Indianapolis-based Anthem after Department of Managed Health Care Director Cindy Ehnes announced her approval of the agreement earlier that day, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Treasury Department, IRS Issue Guidance on Health Savings Accounts
The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service on Friday issued a guidance on health savings accounts, answering 88 questions about the accounts raised by the public during the past year, the AP/Houston Chronicle reports.
The California Board of Registered Nursing licensing committee at a hearing on Thursday recommended that the Hartnell College nursing program, which had been “moving toward a partnership” with Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital, be suspended for one year for “reorganization” due to its failure to comply with a “handful” of the board’s standards, the Monterey County Herald reports.
Los Angeles County Health Officials Issue Wildfire Smoke Inhalation Warning
Los Angeles County public health officials have warned people with heart or lung ailments, seniors and young children that they should refrain from prolonged or heavy exertion while smoke from area wildfires pollutes the air, the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
Orange County Officials Arrest Three in Insurance Fraud Involving Unnecessary Surgeries
Three people were arrested Tuesday following a two-year investigation led by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office found that an alleged fraudulent health insurance scheme involving 5,000 patients cost health insurers $96.9 million, the Orange County Register reports.
Public Health Activist Sues San Francisco Over New Admissions Policy at Laguna Honda Hospital
Public health activist Michael Lyon on Thursday filed two lawsuits in San Francisco Superior Court against the San Francisco Department of Public Health in an effort to block a new admissions policy at Laguna Honda Hospital, the city’s long-term care facility, which some say has led to safety problems because of an increase in “harder-to-handle” patients with behavioral issues, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Senate Passes Bill To Establish Medical Error Reporting System
The Senate on Thursday by voice vote passed legislation to establish a confidential, voluntary system through which physicians and hospitals could report medical errors without facing legal ramifications, the AP/Omaha World-Herald reports.
Santa Barbara County Care Data Exchange Receives $400,000 Federal Grant
The Santa Barbara County Care Data Exchange will receive a $400,000 federal grant to expand its electronic health records database, HHS announced Thursday, the Santa Barbara News-Press reports.
Greenwood Formally Accepts Offer To Become President of Biotechnology Industry Organization
House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Jim Greenwood (R-Pa.) on Thursday formally announced that he has accepted an offer to become president of the Biotechnology Industry Organization and will not seek re-election in November, Bloomberg/New York Times reports.