Latest California Healthline Stories
Ads for Junk Food Contribute to Obesity Among Children, Study Finds
While researchers have long assumed that children who watch more TV are more likely to be overweight because they are getting less exercise, a more important factor in childhood obesity could be the billions of dollars the food industry spends on advertisements aimed at children, according to a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the Boston Globe reports.
Cloture Vote on Medical Malpractice Bill for OB/GYNs Fails in Senate
As expected, a Senate bill (S 2061) that would cap noneconomic damages at $250,000 in medical malpractice lawsuits against OB/GYNs was blocked by Democrats on Tuesday as a cloture vote to limit debate fell short of the necessary 60 votes, the New York Times reports.
Pharmacy chain Walgreen “systematically defrauded” customers by affixing on prescription drug packages labels with expiration dates earlier than manufacturers’ stated expiration dates, according to a lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Problem of Uninsured Not Limited to Individuals, Opinion Piece States
“One of the most insidious effects of the large uninsured population in our nation is that it wears down the medical system’s ability to provide health care services to all Americans, even those with insurance,” Mary Sue Coleman, a biological chemistry professor at the University of Michigan and co-chair of an Institute of Medicine committee that recently examined the issue of the uninsured, writes in a USA Today opinion piece.
Many U.S. Residents Have Problems With Cost of Prescription Drugs, Survey Finds
Many U.S. residents have problems with the cost of prescription drugs, and some reduce their dosages as a result, according to a new survey conducted by Ipsos-Public Affairs for the Associated Press, the AP/Arizona Daily Star reports.
HHS Releases Original Version of Report on U.S. Health Disparities
HHS on Monday released the original version of a report on racial health disparities following complaints that an edited version downplayed serious issues, the Washington Post reports.
California Healthline Features Articles on New Medicare Law
Several articles published on Tuesday addressed issues related to the new Medicare law (HR 1).
Directors for Sonoma Valley Hospital on Wednesday ordered a strategic planning committee to develop within 90 days a plan for a new hospital to replace the current facility, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports.
California Healthline Highlights Features on Shift of Health Care Costs To Employees
Two newspapers recently examined employers’ shift of health care costs to their employees.
Catholic Healthcare West Begins Information Technology Upgrade
San Francisco-based Catholic Healthcare West will spend $137 million over the next eight years on information technology and workflow programs at its 42 hospitals, Modern Healthcare reports.