Latest California Healthline Stories
Board of Pharmacy Cites Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center for Medication Error
The Board of Pharmacy has cited Los Angeles County-owned Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center over an incident in which the hospital mistakenly administered the cancer medication Gleevec to a patient without cancer over a period of four days last month, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Justice Department OKs Anthem/WellPoint Merger
The Department of Justice on Friday declined to block the purchase of WellPoint Health Networks by Anthem, clearing the way for the two companies to merge, the AP/New York Times reports.
Los Angeles County Installs Temporary Management Team at King/Drew Medical Center
Los Angeles County health officials on Thursday installed a temporary management team to oversee operations at Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center after the hospital received an “unfavorable” assessment that may force the closure of 18 medical residency programs, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Senator Requests State Investigation of Allegations Against Metropolitan State Hospital
Sen. Martha Escutia (D-Norwalk) is asking Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D) to investigate federal accusations that the Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk misdiagnosed, overmedicated and improperly restrained patients, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reports.
Medicaid Enrollment Grows Despite Predictions, CMS Reports
Despite predictions that budget deficits would force many states to reduce Medicaid enrollment in 2003, the program covered “a record 42.4 million people last year,” USA Today reports.
Pregnancy-Related Diabetes Increases 35% Among California Residents in 1990s, Study Finds
Pregnancy-related diabetes among California residents increased by “an alarming” 35% in the 1990s, according to a Kaiser Permanente study in Friday’s issue of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Senate Approves $1 Billion in Midyear Budget Cuts, Excluding Health Care Expenditure Reductions
The Senate on Thursday voted to approve two bills that would eliminate about $1 billion from the fiscal year 2003-2004 state budget, about half of the midyear budget reductions proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Lawmakers Request Fee Information for NIH Employees From Drug Companies
Reps. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) on Thursday sent a letter to 10 pharmaceutical companies that requests by March 11 information on consulting fees and stock options paid to NIH scientists, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Wednesday denied the Bush administration’s request for the court to reconsider its ruling that allows California residents to grow and use marijuana for medical purposes, the New York Times reports.
Tauzin Ends Talks on PhRMA Job; Could Resume After Retirement
Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.) on Thursday announced that he has ended current contract negotiations to become president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and that he will not make any decision about job offers until he leaves Congress, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.