Latest California Healthline Stories
Los Angeles Times Examines ‘Battle’ Between Nurse Unions
The Los Angeles Times on Sunday examined the how nurses in California “have become targets of aggressive campaigns by two unions that are competing for labor dominance in the state’s hospital sector.”
Sacramento Bee Examines Health Care Bills Under Consideration in Legislature
The Sacramento Bee today examines the “flurry of bills to make health care more affordable” that the Legislature may consider after the August recess.
American Academy of Pediatrics Recommends Annual Body-Mass Index Evaluations for Children
The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that all children should have their body-mass index evaluated yearly to identify and prevent obesity, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports.
Medicare Drug Discount Cards ‘Major Source of Disagreement’ Between White House, Conferees
A proposal that would give Medicare beneficiaries prescription drug discount cards before a drug benefit would take effect has become a “major source of disagreement” between members of the House-Senate Medicare reform conference committee and the Bush administration, the New York Times reports.
FDA Removes Requirement for Warning on Olestra Products
The FDA on Friday removed a requirement that labels on foods with olestra must include a warning that the products might cause cramps and diarrhea, the AP/St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Sacramento Bee Examines Impact of State Budget Problems on County Mental Health Services
The Sacramento Bee yesterday examined how state budget problems and the recent economic downturn have affected county health agencies, which are “being forced to cut or significantly reduce” mental health services for low-income residents.
Ventura-Based Community Memorial Hospital Requests Dismissal of Lawsuit Filed by Staff Members
Ventura-based Community Memorial Hospital on Wednesday asked Superior County Judge Henry Walsh to dismiss a lawsuit filed by staff members who seek an order to block a new hospital policy that they argue “jeopardizes their right to self-governance and their position to advocate quality patient care,” the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
Drug Makers Consider Restricting Supply to Canada if Reimportation Legislation Passes
The Newark Star-Ledger on Friday examined the possibility of drug makers’ limiting shipments to Canadian wholesalers if Congress passes legislation allowing U.S. residents to reimport drugs from Canada and other countries at prices below U.S. prices.
About 3,000 janitors who are members of the Service Employees International Union Local 1877 and work in 250 buildings in San Francisco on Saturday voted to strike as early as today in the event that cannot reach agreement on a contract that maintains their current health benefits, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Sweepstakes Is Part of Association Health Plan Opposition Campaign
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association has created an online promotion called the “America Speaks Sweepstakes” that offers cash and prizes to encourage people to contact their congressional representatives to express opposition to legislation (HR 660) that would allow small businesses to form interstate association health plans, the Kansas City Star reports.