Latest California Healthline Stories
Online Diagnostic Tool Yields Accurate Diagnoses, Study Finds
An Internet-based diagnostic tool had a 95% accuracy rate in 100 actual diagnoses, according to a study by U.K. researchers in the May issue of the Archives in Disease in Childhood, Medscape reports.
Senate Tax Cut Bill May Include Funds for State Medicaid Programs
Senate Finance Committee Chair Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) yesterday reached a compromise with fellow Senate Republicans on a 10-year, $435 billion tax cut bill that would provide $20 billion in funds for states, in large part for their Medicaid programs, the Des Moines Register reports.
Canada Guarantees Safety of Prescription Drug Exports to United States
Canadian health ministry officials late last week posted an official document clarifying that they will take responsibility to ensure the safety and quality of prescription drugs exported to the United States, the Washington Post reports.
Senate Committee Approves Bills To Expand Health Insurance Coverage
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee yesterday approved two bills intended to expand health insurance coverage to approximately six million more low-income Californians, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Many U.S. Hospitals Unprepared for SARS Outbreak, GAO Report Finds
As a result of emergency room overcrowding and shortages in laboratory personnel, other staff and equipment, many U.S. hospitals are unprepared to handle an outbreak of an infectious disease such as severe acute respiratory syndrome, according to a General Accounting Office report, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Justice Department Approves $631 Million HCA Medicare Fraud Settlement
The Justice Department yesterday approved a $631 million settlement from HCA, the nation’s largest for-profit hospital chain, to settle civil charges over alleged Medicare fraud, the AP/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Federal Appeals Court Hears Justice Department Suit Against Oregon Assisted Suicide Law
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday heard an appeal by the Department of Justice challenging Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act, which allows assisted suicide, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Fresno Teachers Union, School District Reach Tentative Contract Agreement
The Fresno Teachers Association and the Fresno Unified School District last week announced that they have reached a tentative contract agreement that would increase health insurance costs for teachers, the Fresno Bee reports.
San Francisco Chronicle Examines Service Reductions by Northern California Health Departments
The San Francisco Chronicle recently examined the efforts of several health departments in Northern California counties and cities to trim services because of increasing medical costs, falling revenues and reduced funds for services for low-income and disabled residents.
Board Approves Coalinga Regional Medical Center Plan To File for Bankruptcy
The board of directors of Coalinga Regional Medical Center last week voted in favor of a plan to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy following a failed real estate project, the Fresno Bee reports.