Latest California Healthline Stories
Judge Approves Settlement in Kaopectate Lead-Content Lawsuit
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer yesterday approved a settlement between Pharmacia and Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D) requiring the company to reduce the amount of lead in the anti-diarrhea medicine Kaopectate by 80% to 90%, the Sacramento Bee reports.
House, Senate Pass Medicare Reform Legislation
Both chambers of Congress early this morning approved Medicare bills that call for a prescription drug benefit and a larger role for private health plans in the program, the New York Times reports.
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Approves Nursing Home Plan
As expected, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted unanimously to approve a plan that calls for the county to assume control of the 281-bed Burlingame Healthcare Center and allows the 140 residents of the nursing home to remain at the facility, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Tenet Healthcare Debt Rating Lowered to ‘Junk’ Status
Moody’s Investors Service on Wednesday lowered Santa Barbara-based Tenet Healthcare’s debt rating to “junk” status following the hospital chain’s announcement that it would lower profit forecasts for the third time since November, the Reuters/Orange County Register reports.
State Supreme Court Orders Review of $26.5 Million Award to Smoker
The California Supreme Court at its private weekly conference ordered an appellate court to review a 1999 ruling in a case against Philip Morris USA that resulted in a $26.5 million award — most of which was punitive damages — to a smoker, the AP/Las Vegas Sun reports.
Los Angeles Times Considers Reasons for Possible Medi-Cal Payment Cut-Off
The Los Angeles Times today considers reasons for the possible cut-off of Medi-Cal payments to some health care providers.
About 55% of U.S. Patients Receive Recommended Care, Rand Study Finds
U.S. physicians follow recommended best practices for diagnosis and treatment about 55% of the time, a study conducted by researchers at Rand has found, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Wall Street Journal Examines Proposals To Reduce Medicaid Coverage for Optional Beneficiaries
The Wall Street Journal today looks at state proposals to cut Medicaid’s optional beneficiaries — those who meet state eligibility requirements but do not qualify for the program under federal regulations — to balance their budgets.
U.S. Birthrate Drops to Lowest Level in More Than 90 Years
The U.S. birthrate in 2002 fell to its lowest level since 1909, attributed in part to a drop in the nation’s teen birthrate, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Attorney Drops Claim in McDonald’s Lawsuit
Attorney Samuel Hirsh yesterday dropped a claim in a federal lawsuit against fast food chain McDonald’s that seeks to hold the company responsible for obesity-related health problems in children, Dow Jones/Wall Street Journal reports.