Latest California Healthline Stories
Congress Investigates FDA Order To Withhold Report on SSRIs
House and Senate Republican leaders have launched investigations into whether FDA managers prevented medical officer Andrew Mosholder from “presenting a safety review on antidepressants and suicidal behavior by children” to an agency advisory committee at a hearing last month, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Schwarzenegger Takes No Position on Measure To Repeal Health Insurance Law
In an interview on Tuesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) said that he is not prepared to say whether he supports repealing a state law (SB 2) that would require some employers to provide health insurance to workers or pay into a state pool, the AP/Fresno Bee reports
Public Support for New Medicare Law Eroding, Poll Finds
The new Medicare law “has generated more opposition than support” among beneficiaries and the general public, and the number of people who approve of the legislation has declined since last December, according to a new USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll, USA Today reports.
Wall Street Journal Examines Stem Cell Research Ballot Initiative
Through the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative, which will appear on the statewide November ballot, embryonic stem cell research advocates for the first time are “bypassing government officials” and asking voters to approve public funding for the “controversial, cutting-edge” research, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Uninsured in State Pay 72% More for Drugs Than Federal Government, Survey Finds
People without health insurance in California pay an average of 72% more for eight commonly prescribed medications than the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, according to a survey by the California Public Interest Research Group, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Kaiser Permanente Releases Economic Impact Study Related to Construction of Modesto Medical Center
Construction of Kaiser Permanente’s Modesto Medical Center will generate jobs and economic growth in its service area, which encompasses Stanislaus County, Tracy, Manteca and other parts of southern San Joaquin County, according to a report commissioned by Kaiser that was released Wednesday, the Modesto Bee reports.
Frist Bill Would Emphasize Poverty Factor in Addressing Health Disparities
The New Orleans Times-Picayune on Tuesday examined the growing “controversy” over a bill (S 2091) sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) that aims to address health disparities in the United States.
NIH Director Zerhouni Calls for More Participation in Medical Research
Medical researchers should improve efforts to share data from clinical trials and find more individuals to participate in trials, NIH Director Elias Zerhouni told health reporters on Friday at the Association of Health Care Journalists national conference in Minneapolis, the Omaha World-Herald reports.
Detroit News Examines HIPAA Access to Care Issues
The Detroit News on Monday examined concerns from health care providers that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act medical privacy rule has affected access to care for patients.
New York Times Profiles Bush Administration Science Adviser
The New York Times on Tuesday profiled Dr. John Marburger, President Bush’s science adviser and the director of the Office of Science and Technology, who has “become the first line of defense against accusations that the Bush administration has systematically distorted scientific fact and stacked technical advisory committees to advance” preferred environmental and biomedical research policies.