Latest California Healthline Stories
Following a decision in a 13-year-old lawsuit filed against the state by San Diego County, counties statewide could bebegin losing tens of millions of dollars in funding for health, mental health and social service programs because of a “poison pill” measure included in a state law regarding vehicle license fees, the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
CDC Will Start To Stockpile Flu Vaccine Shots for Children
CDC confirmed on Tuesday that it will begin stockpiling four million to six million influenza vaccine doses, primarily for children up to the age of 18, at a cost of $40 million per year for the next two years, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Advocates Call for Eased Access to Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Cards
The AP/Las Vegas Sun on Tuesday looked at several advocacy organizations’ suggestions on improving low-income beneficiaries’ access to the Medicare prescription drug discount cards.
Savings From Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Cards Will Vary Greatly, Observers Say
The average savings that Medicare beneficiaries will receive from a prescription drug discount card program scheduled to begin this week will “depend on each Medicare beneficiary’s needs and the card they choose,” according to a study scheduled for publication in Health Affairs, the Boston Herald reports.
Task Force To Hold Third Hearing on Prescription Drug Reimportation; Focus on HIV/AIDS Drug Norvir
The federal Task Force on Drug Importation will hold its third meeting on Wednesday, focusing on the HIV/AIDS drug Norvir, the New York Times reports.
Superior Court Commissioner Bruce Mitchell on Tuesday indicated that next week he will formally sign a preliminary injunction against the willed body program at the University of California-Los Angeles School of Medicine, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports.
Schwarzenegger, Nunez Reach Agreement on Reform of State Workers’ Compensation System
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez (D-Los Angeles) on Tuesday reached an agreement “on the last remaining obstacle” to reforming the state workers’ compensation system, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Elk Grove City Council Approves Restrictions on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
Despite opposition from some residents, the Elk Grove City Council last week voted 4-1 to impose some restrictions on medical marijuana dispensaries that could open in the city, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Los Angeles County Department of Health Services officials will continue to support a plan to “downsize” the neonatal intensive care unit at Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center, even after reconsidering the plan in response to opposition from community leaders, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The Senate and Assembly subcommittees on health and human services on Monday discussed future funding for county-run Medi-Cal health plans, including Health Plan of San Mateo, the San Mateo County Times reports.