Latest California Healthline Stories
Wall Street Journal Examines ‘Aggressive’ Treatment for Lung Cancer
The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday examined how some doctors are “arguing that it pays to be aggressive — trying surgery along with other treatments” in treating “inoperable” lung cancers.
Garamendi Opposed to Anthem-WellPoint Merger
Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi (D) on Friday said that a proposed merger between Indiana-based Anthem and California-based WellPoint Health Networks “offered no benefit to Californians” and that he would oppose the merger unless Anthem agrees to invest an amount equal to severance packages scheduled for some WellPoint executives in health care programs for the state’s low-income residents, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Santa Cruz County Launches Program To Expand Health Coverage to Children
Officials for Santa Cruz County on Saturday officially launched Healthy Kids, a program intended to provide health coverage to uninsured children up to age 18 who do not qualify for other health benefit programs because of family income or immigration status, the Santa Cruz Sentinel reports.
Nurse Recruiters Turning to Mexico To Ease U.S. Shortage
The AP/Hartford Courant on Sunday looked at the growing number of nursing recruiters in the United States who are looking to Mexico to counter a staffing shortage affecting many U.S. hospitals.
Schwarzenegger Agrees to Health-Related Concessions in Pension Agreement With State Workers’ Union
Budget negotiators for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and the California State Employees Association, the state’s largest workers’ union, agreed Sunday to changes in the state pension system after Schwarzenegger approved some health-care-related concessions, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Newspapers Examine Bush, Kerry Health Care Proposals
The health care policies proposed by President Bush and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry (Mass.) vary widely in cost and extent, the Raleigh News & Observer reports.
WHO Negotiating With White House About Approval of Scientific Meeting Attendees
A World Health Organization official on Friday said that the group is negotiating with the Bush administration over its policy requiring that a “senior political appointee” approve scientists invited to participate in official scientific review panels, the Los Angeles Times reports.
San Francisco Supervisors Question Plan To Privatize Inmate Health Care
San Francisco supervisors on Friday at a hearing to consider Mayor Gavin Newsom’s (D) $5 billion budget proposal voiced concern over a plan to privatize health services at its jails, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Santa Paula Memorial Hospital Officials Will Request Review of Plan To Reopen Hospital
An attorney for Santa Paula Memorial Hospital this week will ask U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robin Riblet to allow Pasadena-based Kare Healthcare to prepare a business plan for reopening the hospital, the Ventura County Star reports.
Los Angeles Times Examines Trend of Marrying for Health Insurance Coverage
The Los Angeles Times on Monday examined how some people are getting married to gain coverage under their husband’s or wife’s health insurance plans.