Latest California Healthline Stories
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.
Bush Administration Releases Details of Long-Term Health Care Information Technology Strategy
As expected, HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on Wednesday presented a report outlining the Bush administration’s long-term health care information technology strategy that he said will “provide a quantum leap in patient power, doctor power and effective health care,” the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Lawsuits Allege Federal Government Has Illegally Delayed Medical Marijuana Research
Lawsuits filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on Wednesday allege that the federal government has illegally delayed medical marijuana research, the AP/Las Vegas Sun reports.
Senate Defeats Democrats’ Budget Proposal; Governor Predicts Agreement by End of Week
As expected, the Senate on Wednesday rejected a $78.8 billion fiscal year 2004-2005 state budget proposal (AB 1749) by Democratic legislators that included no new taxes and would have maintained “key” health and human service programs, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Increase in Medicare Part D Premiums Could Lead to Reduced Social Security Benefits, Report Finds
The new Medicare prescription drug benefit could result in a reduction in Social Security payments to beneficiaries, according to a report released Wednesday by Democrats on the Joint Economic Committee, the Washington Times reports.
Thompson To Present Broad Plans for Implementation of Electronic Medical Records
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on Wednesday is expected to release a report that will detail the “broad outlines” of the Bush administration’s long-term plan to establish a nationwide system of electronic medical records and to encourage hospitals and clinics to invest in information technology, possibly through grants or low-interest loans, USA Today reports.
Alameda County Medical Center Releases Draft Budget Proposal
Alameda County Medical Center on Monday released a draft budget proposal that hospital officials expect to produce a surplus of $2.4 million in fiscal year 2004-2005, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Schwarzenegger Vetoes Bill That Would Have Removed Quantity Restrictions for Medical Marijuana
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Tuesday vetoed a bill (SB 1494) that would have eased rules on medical marijuana by removing limits on how much of the substance patients are allowed to possess, the AP/San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Gregg Again Postpones Committee Markup on Prescription Drug Reimportation Bill
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) on Tuesday for the second time postponed a markup session scheduled Wednesday for a bill (S 2493) that would allow the reimportation of prescription drugs because of a scheduling conflict with a White House bill signing ceremony, The Hill reports.
San Francisco Board of Supervisors Approves Health-Related Initiatives for November Ballot
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved for the November ballot an initiative that would authorize the city to make its health plans available to residents, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.