Latest California Healthline Stories
Less Costly Diuretics More Effective than Expensive Drugs at Treating Hypertension, Study Finds
Diuretics, the least expensive treatment for high blood pressure, are more effective than newer, more expensive classes of drugs, according to findings from a recently released federal study, which could have “major effects” on the cost of treating hypertension, the Washington Post reports.
Bush Administration Will Support New Pediatric Drug Testing Legislation
The Bush administration yesterday said it will not appeal a court decision against an FDA pediatric drug testing rule, but the administration plans to “throw its weight” behind legislation that would require drug companies to test certain medications on children before they can go to market, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Parents, Not State, Should Lead Efforts Against Childhood Obesity, Sacramento Bee Columnist Writes
The California Center for Public Health Advocacy last week asked Gov. Gray Davis (D) to take action against childhood obesity in the state, but “parents, not state government, are in the best position to fight the epidemic of overweight children,” Sacramento Bee columnist Daniel Weintraub writes.
CHCF Releases Updated Supplements to Guides To Help Providers Meet HIPAA Privacy Requirements
The California HealthCare Foundation yesterday issued updated supplements to three guides released earlier this year to help the health care industry in California meet requirements of the Federal Health Privacy Rule mandated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
California Dentists To Post Warning Signs on Potential Dangers of Mercury Fillings
The California Dental Association and the environmental group As You Sow on Monday reached an agreement requiring all California dental offices to post warnings signs on the potential dangers of mercury fillings, but a judge delayed the settlement to allow some revisions to the warnings, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Frist Could Help Bush Health Care Agenda as Senate Leader, Wall Street Journal Op-Ed States
The White House health care agenda could benefit from the possible election of Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) as Senate majority leader, CNBC Washington Bureau Chief Alan Murray writes in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece.
Teen Smoking, Alcohol, Illicit Drug Use Decline This Year, National Survey Finds
The number of teenagers who use tobacco, alcohol or illicit drugs fell this year, according to an annual National Institute of Drug Abuse survey, the New York Times reports.
Wall Street Journal Examines Matching Services for Online Patient Support
The Wall Street Journal today examines online services that connect patients who either currently have or have survived the same illness.
Los Angeles County Jury Awards Physicians $156M in Case Against Norcal Mutual
A Los Angeles County Superior Court jury yesterday awarded $156 million in damages to about 700 California physicians in a case against San Francisco-based Norcal Mutual Insurance, a medical malpractice insurer, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Michigan Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of State’s Prescription Drug Formulary
The Michigan Court of Appeals on Monday unanimously ruled that a state preferred prescription drug program, which limits the drugs doctors can prescribe to patients enrolled in state insurance programs, is legal, the AP/Detroit Free Press reports.