Latest California Healthline Stories
Oregon Preferred Drug List Excludes Some ‘Big Names,’ USA Today Reports
In an attempt to control the “soar[ing]” cost of Medicaid, Oregon’s preferred drug list — developed by the state to dictate which drugs should be covered under Medicaid in an effort to control costs — does not include some of the “most popular drugs” in the United States because officials do not believe they are more effective than cheaper alternatives, USA Today reports.
Genetic Link for Heart Failure Found, Could Explain Higher Rates in African Americans
A combination of two pairs of genes rarely found in whites increases the risk of congestive heart failure in blacks and plays a role in one-quarter of cases of the disease diagnosed among blacks, according to a study published in today’s New England Journal of Medicine.
Senate HELP Committee Approves Nomination of Mark McClellan as FDA Commissioner
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee yesterday unanimously approved the nomination of Dr. Mark McClellan as FDA commissioner.
Los Angeles County May Receive State, Federal Help With Health Department Budget Shortfall
More than a week after CMS Administrator Tom Scully ruled out a “significant” federal bailout for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, county officials yesterday “received encouragement” from state and federal officials that the county could receive some aid, the Los Angeles Times reports.
As Prescription Drug Copayments Rise, Total Spending Falls, Study Finds
When health plans raise prescription drug copayments, overall spending on drugs falls because U.S. workers either switch to generics or do not fill some prescriptions, according to a study published in today’s issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Washington Post reports.
Medicare Provider ‘Giveback’ Legislation Unlikely To Pass Before Adjournment
As Senate leaders thus far have been unable to reach an agreement on a Medicare provider “giveback” package, it is unlikely the bill will pass before Congress recesses and it might not pass at all, CongressDaily/AM reports.
Thompson Orders FDA To Consider Mandatory Warning Label for Ephedra Products
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson yesterday ordered the FDA to “evaluate the best scientific evidence available” and “recommend the strongest mandatory warning label” for ephedra, a dietary supplement used to lose weight and improve athletic performance that reports have linked to several health problems, such as seizures and heart attacks, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Kaiser Permanente Launches Online Appointment Scheduling Service in Northern California
Kaiser Permanente this week announced the launch of an appointment scheduling service that allows members in Northern California to schedule doctors’ appointments online.
Attorneys for Mentally Ill Inmates Block Department of Corrections Isolation Housing Plan
The California Department of Corrections suspended plans to house mentally ill inmates in special units after attorneys for the inmates sough a court order to prevent the move, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Sacramento County Preserves Project HOPE, Cuts Health-Related Jobs
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors yesterday voted to continue Project HOPE, a program through which law enforcement officers and social workers help homeless people with mental illnesses receive access to treatment services, the Sacramento Bee reports.