Latest California Healthline Stories
Most States Do Not Provide Adequate Palliative Care, New Study Finds
Most states do not provide adequate end-of-life care to patients with terminal illnesses, according to a state-by-state report on palliative care issues, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Blue Shield of California To Launch Online Consultation Program Next Year
Blue Shield of California next year will launch a program to reimburse physicians for online consultations, a service few health insurers offer their members, American Medical News reports.
Wall Street Journal Examines FDA’s Credibility after Recent Court Losses
The Wall Street Journal today examines the FDA’s “eroding” credibility amid recent losses in federal court cases, which are “tempering” the agency’s “aggressiveness” and “emboldening its industry adversaries.”
Creditors To Vote on Health Plan of the Redwoods Liquidation Plan
About 2,000 creditors of bankrupt Health Plan of the Redwoods will receive ballots in the mail next week to vote on whether to accept a liquidation plan proposed by the health insurer, the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reports.
High-Fat, Low-Carbohydrate Atkins Diet Improves Cholesterol Levels, Study Finds
Individuals on the high-fat, low-carbohydrate Atkins diet lose more weight and have more improved cholesterol and triglyceride levels than people on a traditional low-fat diet recommended by the American Heart Association, according to a new study released Monday at the association’s annual meeting.
The Supreme Court yesterday refused to block a lawsuit alleging that the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office improperly removed the corneas of dead children without first obtaining consent, the AP/Columbia State reports.
AIDS Activists Criticize $25,000 Retreat Sponsored by Los Angeles County HIV Commission
AIDS activists have raised concerns about a two-day, $25,000 retreat on AIDS funding held last week by the Los Angeles Commission on HIV Health Services, two days after county supervisors “slashed” funds for tests and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, Copley/Torrance Daily Breeze reports.
New Drug Approval By FDA Reaches ‘Slowest Rate’ in a Decade
New drugs are coming into the market “at the slowest rate in a decade,” despite drug companies’ increased spending on research and development and a “costly expansion” of the FDA, the Washington Post reports.
Los Angeles Times Profiles 24-Hour Walk-In Mental Health Clinic in Long Beach
The Los Angeles Times today profiles the Mental Health Urgent Care Center in Long Beach, a 24-hour walk-in clinic that treats individuals with schizophrenia, depression, drug addiction and other mental health disorders.
DHS Hearing in Los Angeles Discusses Hospital Nurse Staffing Ratios
Advocates on both sides of the debate over the state’s proposed hospital nurse staffing ratios met in Los Angeles on Friday for a Department of Health Services hearing on the issue, the Los Angeles Times reports.