Latest California Healthline Stories
Consumer Reports Identifies 12 Unsafe Dietary Supplements
A dozen herbal supplements — some of which are banned in Asia, Europe and Canada but are “widely available” in the United States — could cause cancer, kidney and liver damage or death, according to a report in the May issue of Consumer Reports, USA Today reports.
Pfizer Drug in Development Increases HDL Levels, Study Finds
Torcetrapib, a drug being developed by Pfizer, “markedly increases” HDL, so-called “good” cholesterol, potentially offering a new tool to help combat heart disease, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Health Advocacy Groups Express Concern About Potential Program Cuts
Health advocacy groups are concerned that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s (R) proposed cuts to public programs will create a “devastating gap” in the state’s health care system, the Chico Enterprise-Record reports.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a resolution to support state legislation that would extend the deadline for hospitals to meet state-mandated seismic safety requirements, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Payments to Medicare HMOs Exceed Traditional Program’s Costs, MedPAC Report Finds
The federal government will pay Medicare private plans 7% more than it would cost to treat beneficiaries under the traditional, fee-for-service program, according to a report released Thursday by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the AP/Las Vegas Sun reports.
Officials Weigh Warning Public About Acrylamide in Food Products
The Los Angeles Times on Tuesday looked at efforts to label foods containing acrylamide — a potential carcinogen — in light of Proposition 65, which requires that products containing substances “known to the state to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm” have public notices about such risks.
Senate Cloture Vote on Medical Malpractice Legislation Fails
Senate Republicans on Wednesday failed to close debate on their latest medical malpractice bill (S 2207), which would cap damages in lawsuits against OB/GYNs and emergency department and trauma center personnel, the AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch reports.
Friday Closures of Kern County Department of Human Services Affect Health Programs
The Bakersfield Californian on Monday examined the effects of the Friday closures of the Kern County Department of Human Services.
Senate To Hold Cloture Vote on Malpractice Legislation
Senate Republicans on Wednesday plan to try to close debate on their latest medical malpractice bill (S 2207), which would cap damages in lawsuits against OB/GYNs and emergency department and trauma center personnel, but they “fac[e] almost certain defeat” because Democrats are expected to block the motion, CQ Today reports.
Kennedy To Introduce Medicare Bill Trimming Benefits to Insurers
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and several other Senate Democrats on Wednesday will introduce a bill designed to eliminate some of the financial incentives for private insurers included in the new Medicare law, CongressDaily reports.