Latest California Healthline Stories
PBMs Dominate Online Prescription Drug Sales
Pharmacy benefit managers are outpacing Internet pharmacies in the growing online drug market, in part because of their increased control over prescirption drug purchasing, the New York Times reports.
Lawmakers To Discuss Davis’ Proposed Budget Reductions; Health Care Advocates Criticize Proposal
The Legislature plans to hold hearings today and tomorrow on $10 billion in budget reductions to health care and other programs proposed earlier this month by Gov. Gray Davis (D), a proposal that has received criticism from health care advocates, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Washington Times Examines Factors Contributing to Growing Nursing Shortage
A Washington Times special report on Sunday examined the nation’s nursing shortage and some of the issues that have prompted many nurses to leave the profession.
Hospital Industry Officials Unveil Voluntary Quality Reporting System
Consumers will be able to compare hospital performance based on reports of quality indicators under an initiative announced yesterday by the hospital industry, the Washington Post reports.
Medi-Cal Overpaid for Medical Equipment, Department of Health Services Audit Says
The Department of Health Services could have “saved the state millions of dollars” if it had “shopped around” for the lowest prices on medical equipment and supplies for beneficiaries in Medi-Cal, according to an audit released yesterday, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports.
Nickel Fee on Alcoholic Drinks Sought To Fund Trauma Centers
During the special legislative session to address California’s projected $21 billion deficit, Sen. Gloria Romero (D-Los Angeles) proposed a five-cent fee on alcoholic beverages to help fund the state’s “stressed” trauma centers, the Los Angeles Times reports.
‘Aggressive’ Cost-Cutting at Tenet Puts Patients ‘At Risk,’ SEIU Study Says
Tenet Healthcare’s “aggressive” cost-cutting practices and inadequate nurse-to-patient ratios put patients at risk, according to a new report released by the Service Employees International Union, Dow Jones Business News reports.
State Officials, Health Providers Question Timetable for President Bush’s Smallpox Vaccination Plan
Some state officials and medical experts yesterday expressed doubt that public health officials could implement President Bush’s national smallpox vaccination plan within the proposed time frame given the “major logistical hurdles” of vaccination, the New York Times reports.
NAIC Considers ‘Stricter’ Regulations for Association Health Plans
A panel of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners this week considered creating stricter regulations to prevent abuses in health insurance sold through associations, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Florida Judge Grants Injunction Against Cigna’s Settlement of Physician Class-Action Lawsuit
A federal judge in Miami yesterday granted an injunction against a settlement health insurer Cigna reached in Illinois federal court last month, dealing a “serious blow” to the company’s attempt to settle its “massive” class-action lawsuit filed by physicians over payment practices, the Wall Street Journal reports.