Latest California Healthline Stories
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.
Supreme Court Declines To Hear Veterans ‘Free Care’ Case
Without comment, the Supreme Court yesterday declined to a review a November 2002 decision by a federal appeals court ruling that the federal government is not required to provide free, lifetime health care to World War II and Korean War veterans despite promises made by military recruiters, the New York Times reports.
Bush Administration Promotes Cost Savings Under Medicare Reform Plan
Bush administration officials yesterday said the president’s Medicare reform proposal, which would increase participation of private health plans to provide prescription drug and medical coverage, would reduce federal expenditures for the program, the New York Times reports.
The California Supreme Court on Monday struck down a 1992 state law that had allowed hospitals to place liens against legal settlements or damages awarded to Medi-Cal beneficiaries injured in accidents to recover the full cost of their care, the Los Angeles Times reports.
House Committees Hold Hearings on Possible FDA Authority To Regulate Tobacco Products
Two House committees today will hold hearings on issues related to whether the FDA should regulate tobacco products, the Washington Post reports.
Rate of Increase in Expenditures on Prescription Drugs Down for First Quarter
The rate of increase in first quarter prescription drug expenditures decreased to 11.3% from 16.9% a year earlier, according to a survey of Express Scripts members released today by the pharmacy benefit manager, the New York Times reports.
San Francisco Chronicle Examines First 5 California Program
The San Francisco Chronicle on Friday looked at First 5 California, a program administered by county public health departments statewide through which nurses and other health professionals counsel parents on caring for their newborn children.
Washington Post Examines Governors’ Medicaid Reform Proposal
The Washington Post today examines a proposal being considered by a bipartisan team of 10 governors that would “fundamentally redesign” Medicaid by giving states “vast new powers” to alter health benefits for beneficiaries in return for allowing federal caps on portions of Medicaid spending.
New York Times Examines ‘Unintended Consequences’ of HIPAA Privacy Rule
The New York Times today looks at some of the “unintended consequences” of the medical privacy regulations in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, which were implemented nationwide in April.
San Diego Superior Court Judge Orders Company To Pay $12.5 Million in Ephedra Lawsuit
San Diego Superior Court Judge Ronald Styn on Friday ordered Cytodyne Technologies, which manufactures weight-loss drugs, to pay $12.5 million in restitution to consumers who purchased its ephedra product Xenadrine RFA-1 between 1997 and June 2001, when the class-action suit was filed, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.