Latest California Healthline Stories
Canadian Pharmacies To Supply States, Cities With Reimported Prescription Drugs
Six large Canadian pharmacies, called the Super Six Canadian Pharmacies, have announced plans to partner to supply prescription drugs to U.S. state and city governments, the Detroit Free Press reports.
AP/San Jose Mercury News Examines Outpatient Surgery Centers’ Lobbying Efforts
The AP/San Jose Mercury News on Monday examined outpatient surgery centers’ lobbying efforts against recently enacted workers’ compensation reform laws that tie their rates for procedures on patients with job-related injuries to a fee schedule.
Wall Street Journal Examines Practices Used by Hospitals To Collect Debts
Two articles in Thursday’s Wall Street Journal look at tactics that some U.S. hospitals employ to collect patient debts.
California’s “stringent” regulations for HIV/AIDS testing have led to a slower-than-expected implementation of the rapid HIV test, according to some HIV/AIDS advocates and public health officials, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Senate Committee Approves Bill To Provide Grants To Cities, Schools To Address Obesity Issue
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved a bill (S 1172) that would provide federal grants to cities and schools to promote physical activity and provide nutrition classes in an effort to address the obesity issue, the AP/Wall Street Journal reports.
University of California Employees’ Health Care Premiums Linked to Salary
University of California employees’ monthly premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance will be linked to their salary as part of a strategy to provide “affordable access” to all UC employees, the Sacramento Business Journal reports.
Senate Committee Approves Telemedicine Grants
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Wednesday passed a bill (S 1775) that includes incentive grants for telemedicine programs for increasing health care services in rural areas, according to CongressDaily Markup Reports.
Grocery Store Clerks’ Union Files Two Lawsuits To Force Stores To Contribute to Health Fund
The United Food and Commercial Workers union has filed two federal lawsuits on behalf of 70,000 striking grocery workers in Southern California in an attempt to force Safeway’s Vons, Albertsons and Kroger to continue making payments into the employees’ health care fund, the Los Angeles Times reports.
San Diego-Area Hospitals Affected by Wildfires
Many San Diego County hospitals have closed, canceled elective surgeries or reduced operations at outpatient clinics and administrative offices because of their proximity to fire zones, poor air quality and limited staff, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
FDA Approves Generic Diabetes Medication Manufactured by Ivax
Officials for Miami-based generic drug manufacturer Ivax announced Tuesday that the FDA has granted the company final approval to market a generic version of the diabetes drug Glucophage XR, the Miami Herald reports.