Latest California Healthline Stories
Number of Hospitals With Web Sites Increases, New AHA Survey Says
Almost seven out of 10 U.S. hospitals maintained a Web site in 2001, up from six out of 10 in 2000, according to an American Hospital Association survey.
San Francisco Launches ‘Provocative’ HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign Aimed at Gay, Bisexual Men
San Francisco health officials yesterday launched a “provocative” HIV/AIDS awareness campaign aimed at gay and bisexual men, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Minority Enrollment Increases at University of California Medical Schools in 2002
The percentage of first-year American-Indian, African-American and Hispanic students at University of California medical schools increased to 16.5% this year from 11.9% in 2001, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Medicare Provider ‘Giveback’ Bill Unaffordable, Office of Management and Budget Head Says
White House Office of Management and Budget Director Mitch Daniels yesterday told Republican lawmakers that the federal government cannot afford to pass a Medicare provider “giveback” bill because of decreased revenues.
State Plans To Renew EDS’ Medi-Cal Claims Processing Contract
Texas-based technology company EDS said it has received notification that the Department of Health Services will renew EDS’ contract to process Medi-Cal claims, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Blue Cross of California Announces New Quality Scorecard, Bonus Program for PPO Physicians
Blue Cross of California today announced plans to launch a quality scorecard program this fall and pay bonuses to physicians who meet “high standards of care,” the Los Angeles Times reports.
WSJ Examines Canadian Online Pharmacies Selling Prescription Drugs to People in the United States
The Wall Street Journal today looks at the emergence of Canadian online pharmacies, which make most of their profits by selling prescription drugs at reduced prices to patients in the United States.
The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health has asked the Board of Supervisors to end the county’s Medi-Cal mental health contract with City of Angels Medical Center-Ingleside because the hospital allegedly “referred mentally ill patients to unsafe and unsanitary boardinghouses,” the Los Angeles Times reports.
Medical Marijuana Users File Suit Against U.S. Government To Halt DEA Raids
Two California residents who use marijuana for medicinal purposes have filed suit against the federal government, alleging that the government’s “continued attacks on medicinal marijuana users and suppliers” in California violate the Constitution, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Senators Continue Criticism of Bush Administration Nominations for Government Advisory Committee
Several congressional Democrats are criticizing the Bush administration’s nominations for positions on government advisory committees, saying that candidates are being chosen for their “ideology and ties to industry” rather than their “scientific expertise,” the New York Times reports.