Latest California Healthline Stories
Physicians Often Prescribe More Expensive Hypertension Medications, Study Finds
Physicians often prescribe more costly, newer medicines to treat high blood pressure in place of drugs recommended in medical guidelines, according to a study in Wednesday’s Journal of the American Medical Association, the AP/Las Vegas Sun reports.
Prescription Drug Price Fraud Increases Medi-Cal Costs, Lockyer Says
Medi-Cal has overpaid prescription drug makers by “hundreds of millions of dollars” because of “fraudulent pricing practices,” Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D) said Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Citrus Heights City Council Adopts Urgency Ordinance on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
The Citrus Heights City Council last week voted unanimously to approve an urgency ordinance that details zoning and licensing restrictions on medical marijuana dispensaries, the Sacramento Bee reports.
HHS Announces Voluntary Chronic Care Program for Medicare Beneficiaries
HHS oficials on Tuesday announced a new program that by the end of the year could include 10 three-year chronic care pilot projects to help Medicare beneficiaries manage their conditions and reduce costs, the AP/Richmond Times Dispatch reports.
King/Drew Medical Center Loses Appeal of Accrediting Council Rating
In response to an appeal by Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education affirmed its unfavorable rating of King/Drew’s physician training program at a meeting this month, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services officials said Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reports.
CalPERS Officials Delay Vote on Eliminating Sutter Hospitals From HMO Network
CalPERS officials on Tuesday delayed voting on a plan to eliminate coverage at 15 Sutter Health hospitals or accept a discounted rate at all Sutter facilities, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Contra Costa County Departments Face Cuts To Balance Budget
Contra Costa County officials on Tuesday proposed “sweeping cuts” to the budget that could include funding cuts for mental health services and public safety programs, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Companies Expect Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Cards To Provide Savings of 17% to 35%
The companies that will offer prescription drug discount cards under the new Medicare law have promised average savings of 17% for brand-name drugs and 35% for generic drugs, Long Island Newsday reports.
Bipartisan Group of Senators To Introduce Bill To Allow Prescription Drug Reimportation
A bipartisan group of senators on Wednesday plans to introduce a bill that would allow the reimportation of prescription drugs from other nations, the Spokane Spokesman-Review reports.
A bill (AB 2025) that would require manufacturers of cosmetics and personal care products to disclose all of the ingredients used in the products and ban distribution of those that contain possibly harmful chemicals “apparently died” Tuesday during private negotiations with the Assembly Health Committee, the Sacramento Bee reports.