Latest California Healthline Stories
Together Rx Discount Card Program To Offer Reduced Rates on Generic Treatments
Seven brand-name pharmaceutical companies yesterday announced that Together Rx, a pharmacy discount card program that they established earlier this year, will begin to offer discounts on generic treatments, the New York Times reports.
Family of Deceased M+C Patient Settles Lawsuit Against PacifiCare Over Denial of Care
The family of a Costa Mesa Medicare+Choice patient who died of lung disease three years ago has settled a lawsuit against the man’s physician and his HMO, PacifiCare’s Secure Horizons, alleging that the family was not told he was a candidate for a lung transplant because the surgery cost too much, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Los Angeles County Jury Finds Aetna Legally Responsible for Death of HMO Member
A Los Angeles County jury yesterday found that Aetna U.S. Healthcare of California “unreasonably withheld” care from an HMO member and is legally responsible for the member’s death, the Los Angeles Times reports.
House Gives CMS Authority To ‘Fix’ Medicare Provider Reimbursement Rates
As part of a larger bill (HR 5063) that would extend unemployment benefits to workers displaced by the economic recession, the House yesterday approved a provision that would give the Bush administration the authority to “fix problems” with the Medicare reimbursement formula for doctors, the AP/Los Angeles Times reports.
Former Vice President Gore Endorses Single-Payer Health Care System To Address Uninsured
On a book tour in New York City this week, former Vice President Al Gore, a potential Democratic presidential candidate in 2004, said that he has “reluctantly come to the conclusion” that a “single-payer” health system would be the best way to insure all people in the United States, the AP/Las Vegas Sun reports.
Philip Morris Places 17-Page Position Booklets in Major Newspapers
Philip Morris this week placed 17-page booklets in several major newspapers nationwide that outline the company’s positions on smoking risks and smoking-related policies, the AP/Nando Times reports.
Bush Close to Ordering Smallpox Vaccinations for Military, Delays Decision on Civilian Policy
Senior Bush administration officials said yesterday that President Bush is close to ordering the inoculation of nearly 500,000 soldiers, but safety concerns have caused him to “hesitate” to begin a full-scale civilian vaccination program, the Washington Post reports.
The California nursing home industry should work to improve the “woeful state” of California nursing homes, which rank “among the worst” in the nation, rather than “thwarting abused patients’ rights,” a Contra Costa Times editorial states.
Sutter Roseville Will Not Allow Workers Who Participated in One-Day Strike To Return Until Next Week
Officials at Sutter Roseville Medical Center said that about 450 service and technical workers who participated in a one-day strike yesterday cannot return to work until Tuesday, when a contract with temporary workers hired to cover the vacancies ends, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Rider on Homeland Security Bill Could ‘Head Off’ Autism Lawsuits Tied to Vaccinations
A provision contained in the bill (HR 5710) approved by the House this week that would establish a Homeland Security Department also could “head off dozens of potential lawsuits” against vaccine manufacturers, the Washington Post reports.