Latest California Healthline Stories
KQED’s ‘Health Dialogues’ Program To Examine Rationed Health Care
KQED’s “Health Dialogues,” a live, monthly call-in program sponsored by the California Endowment to examine health care issues in the state, tonight will examine the “highly charged” debate over whether the state should ration health care to meet the “nearly limitless” demand for services.
Medicare Beneficiaries Living in Polluted Areas More Likely To Need Medical Treatment, Study Says
Medicare beneficiaries who live in more polluted areas of the country are “significantly more likely” to need medical treatment, particularly for lung ailments, than those living in less polluted areas, according to a new study, the AP/Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
New Issue of Health Affairs Focuses on Public Health and Bioterrorism
To coincide with the one-year anniversary of the first anthrax attacks in the United States, the November/December issue of Health Affairs focuses on public health and bioterrorism.
Nurses at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center To Hold Second Strike
More than 1,000 registered nurses at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center are scheduled on Thursday to hold their second one-day strike in the last three weeks, the Los Angeles Times reports.
107th Congress’ Health Care Agenda for Lame-Duck Session ‘Unclear’
Lawmakers hope to pass homeland security and appropriations bills in a lame-duck congressional session scheduled to begin today, but whether they will address other issues, such as a Medicare provider “giveback” bill, remains “unclear,” CongressDaily/AM reports.
New Hampshire Healthiest State in the Nation, UnitedHealth Foundation Survey Finds
New Hampshire is the healthiest state, and Louisiana is the least healthy state in the nation, according to the annual state health rankings prepared by the private, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Foundation, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
WebMD Acquires Oregon-Based Health Plan Services Company for $20 Million
Health information and transaction company WebMD last month acquired WellMed, an Oregon-based provider of online recruitment tools and personal medical records for health plan members, for $20 million in cash, the Oregonian reports.
Debate Delays Distribution of Pills To State Residents To Protect Against Radiation Exposure
State officials last summer received about 400,000 potassium iodide pills to help protect individuals who reside near nuclear power plants from radiation exposure, but debate over “how best to get the drugs to the public” will delay distribution of the tablets until at least January, the Los Angeles Times reports.
CMS To Unveil Nationwide Nursing Home Quality Ratings Guide Online
CMS today will release a guide on the quality of care at all 17,000 of the nation’s nursing homes as part of its Nursing Home Quality Initiative, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazettereports.
Ventura County Supervisors To Consider Additional Reductions in Funds for Health Care Programs
Ventura County supervisors today will consider additional reductions in funds for health care programs to help reduce the county’s budget by $8 million, the Los Angeles Times reports.