Latest California Healthline Stories
Many Cosmetic Products Contain Harmful Ingredients, Study Finds
One out of every three “personal care” products, including dental and cosmetic products, contains at least one ingredient that is classified as a possible carcinogen, and one in 100 contains ingredients that are classified as known or probable causers of cancer, according to a study released Monday by the Environmental Working Group, USA Today reports.
Officials for the Department of Managed Health Care on Tuesday released a document filed by Indianapolis-based Anthem that said executives of Thousand Oaks-based WellPoint Health Networks could receive a combined $147 million to $356 million in bonuses or severance payments after the completion of a proposed $15.5 billion merger between the companies, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Several Democratic Lawmakers Oppose Medicare Competition Pilot Program
Several Democratic legislators are attempting to exempt their states from a pilot program to test competition between private health plans and traditional, fee-for-service Medicare, the Washington Times reports.
Most Voters Unaware of Provisions of Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage Law, Poll Shows
Most registered voters in the state “know little” about a law (SB 2) that will require some employers to provide health insurance to workers or pay into a state fund to provide such coverage, but 50% said they support upholding the legislation, according to results of a recent Field Poll, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Senate Passes Bill To Remove Limit on Drug Abuse Treatment
The Senate on Monday by voice vote approved a bill (S 1887) to remove a limit on the number of drug treatment patients that physician groups can medicate with controlled substances, CQ Today reports.
Report Finds Health Disparities Among Whites, Minorities in Solano County
The health of children and families in Solano County has improved over the past year, but minorities continue to have higher rates of teen pregnancy and low-birthweight infants than whites, according to a report released Monday by the Children’s Network of Solano County, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Sharp Healthcare, Unionized Nurses Reach Tentative Agreement
Representatives of San Diego-based hospital chain Sharp HealthCare and the Sharp Professional Nurses Network — a local affiliate of the United Nurses Associations of California — on Friday reached a tentative contract agreement, the San Diego Union Tribune reports.
Los Angeles County MTA Votes To Approve Increased Contribution for Employee Health Insurance Costs
In a closed session Monday, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority board approved a proposal to contribute an additional $4 million toward health insurance costs for members of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1277, which represents mechanics employed by MTA, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Thompson at Biotechnology Conference Promises Faster Drug Reviews
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on Monday in a speech at the Biotechnology Industry Organization convention in San Francisco “vowed” to help speed the approval process for new medications, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
58 Senators Send Letter Asking Bush To Relax Policy on Embryonic Stem Cell Research Funding
A bipartisan group of 58 U.S. senators on Friday sent a letter to President Bush urging him to loosen restrictions on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, Reuters/Boston Globe reports.