Latest California Healthline Stories
Senate Passes Bill Allowing State To Regulate Hospital Charity Care Policies
The Senate on Tuesday approved a bill (SB 379) that would require hospitals to disclose their charity care policies to the state and allow state regulators to establish rules guiding hospital billing policies for the uninsured, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Supreme Court in March To Hear Case Related To Texas Law That Allows HMO Lawsuits in State Court
The Supreme Court on March 23 will hear oral arguments in a case concerning a Texas law that allows patients to sue HMOs in state court if they sustain injuries as a result of denied coverage, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Long Beach Hospital, University Partner for Nursing Program
Long Beach Memorial Medical Center/Miller Children’s Hospital has partnered with California State University-Long Beach to expand the university’s nursing program and to train nurses at the hospital, the Long Beach Press Telegram reports.
Department of Health Services Director Diana Bonta Resigns
Department of Health Services Director Diana Bonta last week resigned from her position, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Wall Street Journal Examines Physicians Who Practice Without Malpractice Insurance
The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday examined the “growing number” of physicians that are practicing medicine without malpractice insurance, known as “going bare.”
CDC Issues Warning on Potential Spread of Avian Flu in United States
In its first warning regarding avian flu — an influenza virus that has recently emerged in birds in eight Asian nations and caused eight human deaths — the CDC on Tuesday told physicians to ask patients with flu symptoms if they have traveled to places with the outbreak and urged people who travel to those areas to take certain precautions to avoid contracting the virus, the AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Tenet Healthcare To Announce Plans To Sell 27 Hospitals, 19 in California
Santa Barbara-based Tenet Healthcare on Wednesday will announce that the company intends to sell 27 — more than 25% — of its hospitals, CEO Trevor Fetter said Tuesday, the New York Times reports.
Democratic Presidential Candidate Sen. John Kerry Wins New Hampshire Primary
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) on Tuesday “scored a decisive victory” in the New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary, “easily defeating” rival former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean (D), the Washington Post reports.
FDA Releases Report on Inspection of Prescription Drug Imports From Canada
The FDA on Tuesday released a report on the results of an inspection of prescription drugs imported from Canada and other nations, the AP/Las Vegas Sun reports.
State Report Questions Quality of Mental Health Care Provided at Youth Authority Facilities
The California Youth Authority is not “meeting many recognized standards of care” in treating incarcerated juveniles with mental illnesses, according to a report commissioned and funded by the Attorney General’s Office, the Los Angeles Times reports.