Latest California Healthline Stories
San Diego City Council Approves Ordinance To Provide IDs to Marijuana Patients
The San Diego City Council yesterday voted 6-3 to approve an ordinance that would provide identification cards to adults who use marijuana for medical purposes in an effort to protect them from arrest by city police, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Davis To Sign Bills Restricting Soda Sales in Elementary, Middle Schools
Gov. Gray Davis (D) yesterday said he will sign two bills related to the sale of soft drinks in elementary and middle schools, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Tenet Names Acting CEO Fetter as Permanent Head
California-based Tenet Healthcare, the second-largest for-profit hospital chain in the nation, yesterday named acting CEO Trevor Fetter as CEO and a member of the board of directors, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Daschle Becoming ‘Concerned’ About Fate of House and Senate Medicare Bills
Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) yesterday said he is “becoming increasingly concerned” about whether negotiators working to reconcile the House and Senate Medicare bills (HR 1 and S 1) will be able to reach a compromise, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors yesterday unanimously approved a proposal to form a task force to review medical residency programs and recommend reforms at county-administered Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Illinois Supreme Court Lowers Philip Morris USA Appeal Bond
The Illinois Supreme Court yesterday ruled that Philip Morris USA must post $6.8 billion rather than $12 billion to appeal a verdict against it in a class-action case in which plaintiffs alleged the company misled consumers about health risks of “light” cigarettes, the Washington Post reports.
‘Capital Public Radio’ Reports on Effect of Reduced Medi-Cal Provider Reimbursement Rates
Capital Public Radio on Tuesday reported on how reduced Medi-Cal provider reimbursement rates could affect patients and physicians. According to CPR, providers — especially specialists — may consider dropping care for Medi-Cal beneficiaries in favor of patients with private insurance.
California could add 170,000 children to government subsidized health insurance plans by working with child care providers to identify and enroll children who may qualify for the benefits, according to a study by the 100% Campaign, the AP/Los Angeles Times reports.
FDA Warns Prescription Drug Reimporter CanaRx To End Operations
The FDA yesterday sent a letter warning officials at Ontario-based CanaRx Services, which reimports U.S.-manufactured prescription drugs to the United States, that company operations are illegal and may endanger the health of customers, the AP/Las Vegas Sun reports.
New York Times Looks at Debate Over Employer-Sponsored Coverage Bill
The New York Times today considers the debate over a bill (SB 2) passed Friday by the Legislature that would require businesses with 50 or more employees to offer health insurance or pay into a fund that would provide such coverage.