Latest California Healthline Stories
California Healthline Examines Economic Stimulus Plans, Congressional Health Care Agendas
In response to President Bush’s anticipated economic stimulus plan, House Democrats have released their own plan, which would cut taxes for families and businesses and would provide some aid to states for Medicaid, the Washington Times reports.
Passage of Measure B Could Serve as National ‘Bellwether’ for Health Care Reform, Editorial States
Although California had not approved a new property tax since 1978, Los Angeles County voters last November passed a ballot measure that will raise property taxes to fund the county’s trauma care centers and emergency rooms, an “impressive reversal” that could serve as a national “bellwether” for health care reform, according to an Akron Beacon Journal editorial.
Davis Promises To Improve State Economy, Protect Children’s Health Insurance Programs in Second Term
Gov. Gray Davis (D) in his inaugural address yesterday promised to improve the state’s economy and to protect programs that provide health insurance for low-income children in his second term, the Los Angeles Times reports.
American Lung Association Report Finds States Using Settlement Money for Budget Deficits
Most states are using their tobacco settlement money to fund “only a fraction” of what federal officials recommend for tobacco prevention and cessation programs and instead are using the settlement to cover budget deficits, according to a new report from the American Lung Association.
House Minority Leader Gephardt (D-Mo.) Forms Exploratory Committee for Possible Presidential Run
House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-Mo.) on Saturday announced he has formed an exploratory committee to raise funds for a second campaign for president, the Los Angeles Times reports.
New York Times Examines Impact of Smallpox Vaccination Plan on Public Health
The New York Times Sunday examined how local health departments are “curtail[ing] an array of services,” such as children’s dental examinations and tuberculosis screenings, to make resources available to meet the requirements of President Bush’s smallpox vaccination plan.
HHS Announces Members of New Research Advisory Committee; Draws Criticism from Patient Advocates
HHS on Friday named the 11 members of an advisory committee that will make recommendations to HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on the protection of human research subjects, the Washington Post reports.
Physician Pleads Guilty in $11 Million Medi-Cal Fraud Case
Dr. Surinder Singh Panshi, a physician who allegedly helped defraud Medi-Cal of $11 million, on Friday pleaded guilty in Orange County Superior Court to one count of conspiracy and three counts of tax evasion, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Miami Herald Examines Increased Number of Consumers Who Seek Health Information Online
The Miami Herald on Sunday examined the increased number of consumers who use the Internet to find health information and several issues related to the trend.
Health Care Costs for Aging Baby Boomers Will Not Rise As Much As Anticipated, Study Says
Health care costs for aging baby boomers when they reach their 80s and 90s will not increase as much as is commonly expected, according to a new study in the Journal of Gerontology, Scripps Howard/Nando Times reports.