Latest California Healthline Stories
The Los Angeles Times on Sunday looked at drug companies’ lobbying efforts against some state measures to allow the importation of lower-priced, U.S.-made prescription drugs from Canada.
New Regional CalPERS Pricing Plan Could Lower Costs in San Diego County
A new CalPERS regional pricing plan will allow San Diego County agencies that contract with the program to pay “slightly less” for health insurance in 2005 than agencies in Northern California, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
CMS To Cite King/Drew for Nursing, Maintenance Issues
After a four-day review of Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center, CMS inspectors plan to cite the public hospital for ongoing problems in nursing care and physical maintenance, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services officials said Friday, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Bill Introduced in Senate To End Illegal Online Sales of Prescription Drugs
Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) on Thursday introduced a bill that would “crack down” on illegal prescription drug sales by online pharmacies, Copley/San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
CDC Announces $49 Million in Grants Aimed at Preventing Spread of HIV/AIDS
CDC on Friday in its first round of funding since announcing a “controversial shift” in its HIV/AIDS prevention strategy awarded $49 million in grants to 142 community-based organizations’ programs that focus on preventing HIV-positive people from spreading the virus rather than to programs targeting people who are at high risk of contracting HIV, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
New Coalition Seeks To Boost Enrollment in Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card Program
A new coalition of lobbyists for the elderly, African Americans and Hispanics on Sunday announced the launch of a nationwide campaign designed to help 5.5 million low-income Medicare beneficiaries enroll in the new prescription drug discount card program, the New York Times reports.
California Performance Review To Recommend Major State Government Overhaul
Officials working on the California Performance Review on Wednesday announced that they have submitted to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) their proposal to overhaul the state government, a plan that would consolidate, reorganize and eliminate a large number of the state’s 60 boards and commissions, possibly including the Medical Assistance Commission, the AP/Sacramento Bee reports.
Expenses Increase at Community Hospital of San Bernardino; Budget Deficit Expected
Expenses at Community Hospital of San Bernardino are expected to increase to $140.8 million this year from about $88 million in 1999, as revenue and state and federal reimbursement decreases, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports.
Assembly Bill Prohibits Children Younger Than Age 18 From Using Tanning Booths
Assembly members on Thursday voted 42-26 to approve a bill (AB 2193) that would prohibit people younger than age 18 from using indoor tanning booths without a prescription from a doctor, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Senate, House Bills Introduced To Allow FDA To Regulate Tobacco Products
Lawmakers on Thursday introduced identical bills in the Senate and House that would allow “broad federal regulatory control” over tobacco products, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports.