Latest California Healthline Stories
Senate Committee Leaders Agree To Approve Nomination of FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan To Head CMS
Senate Finance Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and ranking member Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) have agreed to approve the nomination of FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan as CMS administrator, according to a Senate leadership aide, CongressDaily reports.
California Journal Examines Possible Effect of Proposed Budget on Health Care Safety Net Programs
California Journal in its March issue examines the state’s “budget crisis and pending cuts to Medi-Cal and Healthy Families,” which could affect the “flimsy state of California’s health care safety net.”
The National Republican Congressional Committee on Monday charged that Families USA is “advocating Democratic talking points against” the new Medicare law in its 10-week “Medicare Road Show,” CongressDaily reports.
Kaiser Permanente Reports Increased Operating Margin for 2003
Oakland-based HMO Kaiser Permanente on Monday reported a 3.9% operating margin for the fiscal year that ended Dec. 31, compared with 0.6% for 2002, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Many director-level NIH scientists will now be required to publicly disclose any income from outside sources, attorneys from the Office of Government Ethics announced on Monday at the first meeting of a newly formed NIH panel that will evaluate conflict of interest policies, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Political Victory on Medicare Law Eludes Republicans, Washington Post Reports
Although Republican leaders had hoped to tout their efforts in passing the Medicare legislation in this year’s election, “the political bounce that [they] had hoped for is eluding them,” as criticism of the new law mounts and the public expresses skepticism about changes to the program, the Washington Post reports.
Los Angeles Times Examines Problems With Implementation of Involuntary Mental Health Treatment Law
The Los Angeles Times on Sunday examined problems with the implementation of a state law (AB 1421) enacted in 2002 that allows court-ordered involuntary treatment for some individuals with mental illnesses.
Legislators Will Not Meet Governor’s Deadline on Workers’ Compensation Reform; More Talks Likely
Legislators will not meet Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s (R) deadline for passing a workers’ compensation reform bill, but the governor is expected to urge lawmakers to continue negotiations, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Los Angeles Times Examines Democratic Presidential Candidates’ Health Care Plans
The Los Angeles Times on Saturday highlighted the “trends battering the nation’s health care system” and the plans proposed by Democratic presidential candidates Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and John Edwards (D-N.C.) to expand health care coverage to the uninsured.
Grocery Store Workers Approve Contract, End Strike
Unionized grocery store workers in Southern California this weekend voted to approve a three-year contract and ended a five-month strike and lockout that largely focused on health benefits, the Los Angeles Times reports.