Latest California Healthline Stories
Many Schools Replace Soda in Vending Machines With Other Unhealthy Drinks, Column States
Many schools that have decided to remove soft drinks from vending machines to address childhood obesity have replaced soda with flavored beverages and sports drinks that are “just as bad or worse,” reporter Tara Parker-Pope writes in a Wall Street Journal Health Journal column.
Tenet Healthcare Announces Closure of Century City Hospital
Santa Barbara-based Tenet Healthcare has notified Los Angeles County that it plans to close Century City Hospital on April 30 and will close its emergency room in 90 days, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Schwarzenegger’s Budget Proposal Includes Repeal of Health-Related Legislation
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s (R) budget proposal for fiscal year 2004-2005, which was introduced on Friday, calls for the repeal of more than 12 laws that address issues including health care, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Science, Politics in FDA Decision Not To Allow Market Reentry of Silicone Breast Implants Examined
The Baltimore Sun on Monday examined the debate over the science and politics in the FDA decision last week not to allow market reentry of silicone breast implants.
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson Criticizes Democrats Over ‘Misinformation’ About New Medicare Law
Many seniors are “somewhat afraid” of the new Medicare law (HR 1), largely because Democratic presidential candidates are “spreading misinformation” about changes to the program, HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson said at a briefing for reporters on Monday, the New York Times reports.
Sen. Hillary Clinton Proposes National Electronic Medical Records System
Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) on Monday announced a five-point health care proposal that would establish a national electronic medical records system and use other medical technologies to improve the quality of care in the United States, the New York Daily News reports.
NIH Director Elias Zerhouni Defends HIV/AIDS, Sexual Behavior Studies Questioned by Lawmakers
NIH Director Elias Zerhouni this week plans to send a letter to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee “resolutely” defending the agency’s funding for “dozens” of research studies on HIV/AIDS, sexual behavior and addiction, USA Today reports.
Schwarzenegger Budget Proposal Would Repeal Law To Establish Stem Cell Research Guidelines
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s (R) budget proposal for fiscal year 2004-2005, which was introduced Friday, calls for the repeal of a law (SB 322) signed by former Gov. Gray Davis (D) last September that requires the state by 2005 to write guidelines for research using human embryonic stem cells, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
California Healthline Rounds Up Recent News on Grocery Store Workers Strike Over Health Benefits
The ongoing grocery store worker strike could affect forecasted enrollment and earnings increases for Cypress-based PacifiCare Health Systems, officials announced on Friday, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Democrats Call for Tax Increases To Maintain Funding for Health Programs
In response to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s (R) proposed fiscal year 2004-2005 budget, Democrats on Monday began “framing the budget debate as a choice” between an income tax increase on high-income state residents or a reduction in some government services, including health care, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.