Latest California Healthline Stories
Federal Judge Allows Department of Justice To Seek Past Profits in Lawsuit Against Tobacco Companies
U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler on Monday denied a pretrial motion in a Department of Justice lawsuit filed against four tobacco companies that sought to “disallow the government’s bid for the surrender” of $280 billion in past profits, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Washington Times Examines Problems With Physician-Patient Relationships
The Washington Times on Tuesday looked at problems with the current doctor-patient relationships that lead physicians to feel “pressed and stressed” and patients “frustrated and ignored.”
Lawmakers Vote To Pass Health-Related Legislation
Lawmakers on Monday approved two health-related measures, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Coalition Launches Multimedia Campaign in Support of Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Law
A coalition that includes labor unions, doctors, nurses, church groups and retirees on Tuesday will begin a multimedia campaign in favor of a law (SB 2) that would require some employers to provide health coverage to employees or pay into a state fund to provide such coverage, the Los Angeles Times reports.
CalPERS Decision To Drop Costly Hospitals From HMO Network Could Have Nationwide Effects
CalPERS’ decision last week to drop 38 of the most costly hospitals in its Blue Shield of California HMO network beginning in 2005 “sent a message that’s likely to resonate with hospital chains, insurance companies and employers” nationwide, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Health Benefit Costs Remain Top Concern of Small Businesses, Nationwide Survey Finds
The cost of providing health insurance to employees remains small businesses’ chief concern and is affecting a growing number of small firms, according to a nationwide survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business and Wells Fargo, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
NIH May Allow License for Generic Manufacture of HIV/AIDS Drugs
NIH on Tuesday is scheduled to hold a public hearing to consider a request to grant a license for the generic manufacture of the antiretroviral drug Norvir following Abbott Laboratories’ decision to increase the drug’s price by 400%, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Contra Costa County Supervisors To Consider Proposed Health Services Department Layoffs
Contra Costa County supervisors this week will consider a proposal to lay off at least 20 employees — many from substance abuse programs in which the state and county share costs — in response to a request from County Administrator John Sweeten to reduce the county Health Services Department budget by $25 million for the next fiscal year, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Lawmakers Urge Senate Vote on Prescription Drug Reimportation Bill Before July 4 Recess
Lawmakers from the House and Senate last week urged Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) to schedule a vote before the July 4 recess on a bill allowing U.S. residents to purchase cheaper, U.S.-made prescription drugs from other nations, the Washington Times reports.
Sacramento Bee Columnist Examines Opposition of Some CMA Members to Health Insurance Law
Sacramento Bee columnist Daniel Weintraub on Sunday reported on opposition among some members of the California Medical Association to a law (SB 2) that would require some employers to provide health insurance to employees or pay into a state fund to provide such coverage.