Latest California Healthline Stories
Anti-Inflammatory Medications Fail To Slow Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease, Study Finds
Anti-inflammatory drugs fail to slow the progression of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease patients, according to a study published in today’s Journal of the American Medical Association, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Lockyer Approves Tenet Plan To Buy Los Angeles Cancer Center, but Imposes Conditions
Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D) has approved Santa Barbara-based Tenet Healthcare’s $35 million purchase of the not-for-profit USC/Norris Cancer Hospital in Los Angeles but imposed “strict conditions” to maintain the hospital’s current cancer care and charity care programs, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Democratic Presidential Candidate Carol Mosley Braun Previews ‘Radical’ Health Care Proposal
Democratic presidential candidate and former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun (D-Ill.) has said she is in the early stages of creating a “radical” and “ambitious” health care plan that will cover the uninsured and provide prescription drug coverage for seniors, The Hill reports.
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson Will Not Remain in Position After 2004
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on Tuesday told the Associated Press in a “slightly more definitive” statement than earlier comments that he would not serve a second term in the position in the event that President Bush wins reelection in 2004, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors yesterday approved a plan to reduce emergency room overcrowding by requiring proof of residence from most patients seeking care at county facilities, the Los Angeles Times reports.
NLRB Upholds Pomona and Burbank Nurses’ Votes To Unionize
The National Labor Relations Board in the past week has upheld votes by nurses to unionize at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center and Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, the Los Angeles Times reports.
KQED’s ‘California Report’ Examines Proposed Alcohol Tax To Fund Emergency Room Care
KQED’s “California Report” yesterday examined a bill introduced by Sen. Gloria Romero (D-Rosemead) that would impose a five-cent per-drink tax on alcoholic beverages to raise about $800 million to reimburse hospitals and physicians for uncompensated care provided to people involved in alcohol-related accidents.
Senate Passes Bill To Create Medical Marijuana User Identification Cards
The Senate yesterday voted 23-11 to approve a bill (SB 420) that would give the state’s medical marijuana users identity cards intended to prevent state and local police from arresting them, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports.
New York Times Looks at Online Support Groups for Rare Diseases
The New York Times today looks at Internet support groups for patients with rare disorders and parents of children with these diseases.
San Francisco Supervisors Criticize Mental Health, Social Services Cuts in Mayor’s Budget Proposal
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors yesterday criticized Mayor Willie Brown’s (D) $4.8 billion budget proposal, specifically questioning his plan to cut funding for mental health programs and health services, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.