Latest California Healthline Stories
Insurance regulators at a Department of Managed Health Care hearing Friday said they expect to rule “in the next few weeks” on a proposed merger between Thousand Oaks-based WellPoint Health Networks and Indianapolis-based Anthem following a review of “widespread complaints” about the deal, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The San Francisco Chronicle, as part of an ongoing series evaluating state mental hospitals, on Monday looked at the Department of Mental Health’s expenditures for the clinical evaluation and testimony of mental health experts in cases involving sexual violence.
Lockyer Files Suit Over Lead Levels in Mexican Candy
Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D) on Friday filed suit against 33 companies that manufacture or sell imported candies from Mexico and Brazil, alleging that the candy contains harmful levels of lead in excess of those allowed under California law, the AP/San Jose Mercury News reports.
Supporters of Ballot Initiative To Fund Stem Cell Research Aim To Raise $20 Million for Campaign
Supporters of Proposition 71, which would raise an average of $295 million annually for 10 years to promote stem cell research through the issue of state bonds, hope to raise $20 million for the campaign leading up to the Nov. 2 election, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Los Angeles Residents Report Low Exercise Rates, Study Finds
About 41% of Los Angeles residents get no more than 10 minutes of continuous exercise each week, according to a study by University of California-Los Angeles researchers released Sunday, the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
The “discouraging trend” of higher reported rates of unprotected “risky” sex in the state, particularly among men who have sex with men, could slow what had been a steadily dropping rate of HIV infection, according to new surveys by state and University of California researchers, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Los Angeles Times Examines King/Drew Medical Center’s Asthma Camp
The Los Angeles Times on Wednesday looked at an “asthma camp” sponsored by Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center that incorporates “camp staples” such as arts and crafts and swimming with study halls, writing workshops and science classes as part of an effort to increase the likelihood of children receiving adequate asthma treatment.
Rocklin City Planning Commission Recommends Permanent Ban on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
The Rocklin City Planning Commission on Tuesday recommended a permanent ban on commercial medical marijuana dispensaries, saying that the city has no need for “this type of land use,” the Sacramento Bee reports.
Ortiz Calls for Investigation Related to Proposed Anthem-WellPoint Health Networks Merger
Sen. Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento) on Thursday called on Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D) to investigate allegations that WellPoint Health Networks, parent company of Blue Cross of California, saved millions of dollars in state taxes over the last 10 years through an exemption not available to most other health insurers, the Los Angeles Times reports.
San Francisco Board of Supervisors To Vote on Measure To Extend Health, Dental Coverage
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday plans to vote on a measure that would order the San Francisco Health Service System to consider proposals to extend health and dental coverage to city residents, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.