Latest California Healthline Stories
Critics Challenge Belief of Obesity Epidemic, Los Angeles Times Reports
The Los Angeles Times on Friday considered some scholars’ and researchers’ skepticism about “the science behind ever-more-shrill pronouncements” on the dangers of obesity.
Gregg, Kennedy Criticize Bioterrorism Preparedness Efforts
Senate Health, Education Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) on Thursday at a hearing of the committee praised bioterrorism preparedness efforts by the federal government but criticized the system used by HHS to distribute funds to hospitals and the lack of inter-jurisdictional plans to respond to an attack, CongressDaily reports.
Doctors, Pharmacists Testify Before House Subcommittee About Merits of E-Prescribing
Encouraging doctors to electronically prescribe drugs could “save time and money and improve patient safety and the quality of care,” but there are “many barriers” standing in the way of implementing new prescription methods, according to testimony presented Thursday at a meeting of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, CongressDaily reports.
On July 21, CongressDaily incorrectly reported the details of a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee vote on a bill (S 1153) designed to give Medicare-eligible veterans access to cheaper drugs purchased by the VA health system. The bill, passed 10-5, would require Medicare-eligible veterans annually to select a physician from either the VA or Medicare and would allow them to purchase their drugs from either program, regardless of the physician selected. An amendment proposed by Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.) to allow Medicare-eligible veterans to continue to access VA care even if they selected a Medicare-affiliated physician was rejected.
President Bush Announces Second-Term Agenda Would Include Health Care Reform Proposals
President Bush on Wednesday in Washington, D.C., said that his second-term agenda would include health care reform, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Investors Voice Concerns Over Delays in WellPoint-Anthem Merger
Investors are “[o]utraged” over California’s delay in approving the merger of Thousand Oaks-based WellPoint Health Networks and Indianapolis-based Anthem, and they have accused lawmakers and regulators of “electioneering at the expense of shareholders,” the Sacramento Bee reports.
Modesto Planning Commission Approves Kaiser Permanente’s Hospital Plan
During a six-hour meeting, the Modesto Planning Commission on Tuesday voted 4-0 to approve Kaiser Permanente’s plan to build a 49-acre medical campus that would cost $500 million, include 250 beds and serve 130,000 Kaiser members in Stanislaus and southern San Joaquin counties, the Modesto Bee reports.
President Bush Signs 10-Year, $5.6 Billion Project BioShield Act Into Law
President Bush in a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden on Wednesday signed the Project BioShield Act (S 15), which guarantees $5.6 billion over the next 10 years to promote private-sector development of medications and vaccines to treat U.S. residents in the event of a biological, nuclear, radiological or chemical attack, AP/Detroit News reports.
Lawsuit Seeking Class Action Status Alleges Fraud in Hospital Billing
A lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday on behalf of California consumers is seeking a court order to bar hospitals from billing patients to compensate for low health insurance reimbursements, a practice called “balance billing,” Reuters/Los Angeles Times reports.
San Mateo County Official Calls for State Audit of Local Health Care Districts
San Mateo County Manager John Maltbie has asked the state to audit the approximately 88 local health care districts statewide that receive tax revenue to operate hospitals, the San Mateo County Times reports.