Latest California Healthline Stories
Blue Cross of California Ends Contract with HCA Healthcare
Blue Cross of California on Oct. 1 terminated its contract with HCA Healthcare after the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on reimbursement rates, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
New York Times Examines Methods Employers Use To Shift Health Care Costs to Employees
The New York Times looks at the methods some employers are using to shift health care costs and responsibility to employees, a trend that is likely to continue in 2003 and result in fewer health care choices.
Media Examines FDA Commissioner Nominee Mark McClellan
The San Jose Mercury News today profiles Dr. Mark McClellan, President Bush’s nominee for FDA commissioner, who will appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today in the “first step” of the confirmation process.
Rep. Jane Harman Endorses Trauma Center Tax
U.S. Rep. Jane Harman (D) on Friday announced her endorsement of Measure B, which would raise an estimated $175 million a year for trauma centers in the Los Angeles area through a new property tax, the Los Angeles Times reports.
IOM Report Offers Recommendations To Improve Oversight of Clinical Trials
Federal regulators need to improve oversight of public and private clinical trials involving human participants, according to an Institute of Medicine report released yesterday, the Wall Street Journal reports.
St. Joseph Health System, Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Nurses Reach Tentative Contract Agreement
St. Joseph Health System has and the Staff Nurses Association, a union representing the 550 nurses at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, have reached a tentative contract agreement that eliminates the possibility of a strike next week, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports.
Advocates Criticize Davis’ Decision to Veto Bill to Allow Needle Sales Without a Prescription
By vetoing a bill (SB 1785) that would have allowed adults in California to purchase up to 30 hypodermic needles or syringes without a prescription at pharmacies, Gov. Gray Davis (D) “bucked the medical establishment” and “bow[ed] to election-year politics,” according to proponents of the measure, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Daschle, Hastert Hope To Pass Medicare Provider ‘Giveback’ Package
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) yesterday said that although he would “like to be able to pass” the Medicare “giveback” bill introduced by Sens. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Charles Grassley (R-Iowa), the package only has a “50-50” chance of passage, CongressDaily/AM reports.
DMHC Handled More Consumer Complaints and in More Timely Manner Last Year, Report Indicates
The Department of Managed Health Care resolved a “record number” of complaints from HMO consumers last year, at a quicker pace than ever before, according to a new report from the department.
Federal Judge Postpones Justice Department Lawsuit Against Tobacco Companies Until 2004
A federal judge yesterday postponed a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department against Philip Morris and other tobacco companies until September 2004, Bloomberg/Los Angeles Times reports.