Latest California Healthline Stories
Yale-New Haven To Reconsider Collection Practices, Wall Street Journal Reports
In a followup to a profile published last month of an uninsured man struggling to pay medical bills accumulated from his now-deceased wife’s cancer treatments, the Wall Street Journal today reports that Yale-New Haven Hospital will forgive Quinton White’s $40,000 debt and will start to examine other collection cases.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority To Reduce Paratransit Services
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, which over the past six years has provided “top-of-the-line” paratransit services for seniors and residents with disabilities, later this spring plans to reduce services because of a rise in demand, an increase in costs and a budget deficit that could reach $160 million, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Lockyer To File Suit Against Five Internet Cigarette Vendors for Alleged Sales to Minors
Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D) today plans to file suit in San Diego Superior Court against five out-of-state Internet tobacco vendors over allegations that they sold tobacco to minors and avoided state cigarette taxes, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Group Gathers Enough Signatures To Put Fluoridation Issue on Santa Maria Ballot
Citizens for Safe Drinking Water, a group that opposes water fluoridation, has submitted enough valid signatures to require a vote on whether the city of Santa Maria should fluoridate its water, the Santa Barbara County Clerk’s office has confirmed, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Physicians Too Often Prescribe Powerful Antibiotics, Study Says
While physicians are prescribing fewer antibiotics than before, the antibiotics they do prescribe often are too powerful for the ailment, according to a study in today’s edition of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Drug Companies Will Appeal Federal Court Ruling Michigan Prescription Drug Formulary
Pharmaceutical companies plan to appeal a federal judge’s ruling that Michigan can continue a program that requires physicians to use a formulary when prescribing drugs to low-income patients in public health programs, the AP/Nando Times reports.
Republican Smallpox Vaccine Compensation Bill Defeated in House
The House yesterday voted 206-184 to reject a bill supported by many Republicans that would have provided financial compensation for people disabled or killed by the smallpox vaccine, the Washington Post reports.
Fresno Bee Examines Budget Problems in State Poison Control System
The Fresno Bee today examines budget problems faced by the California Poison Control System, which may have to close call centers by June 30 without new funding as a result of state and federal budget reductions.
HHS OIG Says FDA Should Take Longer To Review New Prescription Drugs
The FDA should consider adding 30 to 60 days to the 10 months that it currently takes on average to review applications for new prescription drugs, the HHS Office of Inspector General stated in a report issued last week, Long Island Newsday reports.
NPR’s ‘Morning Edition’ Reports on Legislation To Provide Health Coverage for Uninsured Residents
NPR’s “Morning Edition” yesterday reported on several “sweeping plans” that state lawmakers will consider this legislative session to extend health coverage to the uninsured.