Latest California Healthline Stories
Massachusetts Medical Interpreter Services are ‘Models’ for Nation
PRI’s “The World” Sept. 18 featured a report on how Massachusetts has responded to federal and state medical interpreting laws and developed services for non-English-speaking and limited-English-speaking patients that are “models” for the nation.
Davis Should Sign Bill To Allow Sales of Needles Without a Prescription, Opinion Piece Says
Signing a bill (SB 1785) that would allow adults to purchase up to 30 hypodermic needles and syringes at pharmacies without a prescription would give Gov. Gray Davis (D) “an opportunity to establish California as a state committed to preventing HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C,” San Francisco AIDS Foundation Executive Director Pat Christen and San Francisco Public Health Department Director Mitch Katz write in a San Francisco Chronicle opinion piece.
Lifeguard Patients See Disruption of Services Despite Assurances from DMHC
Although the Department of Managed Health Care has said its takeover of San Jose-based Lifeguard would be “invisible” to the not-for-profit HMO’s members, the San Jose Mercury News reports there have been cases of doctors denying care to patients over fears that their costs will not be covered.
Health Care Could Be ‘Decisive’ Issue in November Elections, Columnist Says
Given the increasing number of uninsured Americans, double-digit health cost increases and Congress’ inability to pass Medicare prescription drug benefit legislation, health care could be a “decisive” issue in some races during the coming election, according to Wall Street Journal columnist Albert Hunt.
KVIE’s ‘New Valley’ Episode Examines Health Care Issues in Sacramento, San Joaquin Valleys
KVIE’s “New Valley,” a 10-part series examining issues in Central Valley, tonight will focus on health care issues facing the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys as the areas experience accelerated growth.
Davis Signs Tobacco-Related Legislation
Gov. Gray Davis (D) this week signed several tobacco-related measures into law.
Families, Privacy Advocates Debate Merit of Remote Home Monitoring Systems
A growing number of retirement communities and families are using information technology to allow remote caregivers to observe family members and patients, but privacy advocates worry that the systems can strip seniors of their privacy, the Associated Press reports.
States Continue To Limit Medicaid Services, Benefits To Offset Budget Deficits
Many states are “turning to more dramatic means” to balance their Medicaid budgets, including limiting patient benefits and reducing eligibility, after having exhausted one-time funding mechanisms, according to a report released yesterday by the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, CongressDaily/AM reports.
Smoking Rates Among High School Students Declines 18% From 2000, Study Finds
Smoking rates among high school students have fallen by almost 18% since 2000, according to preliminary survey results released by the American Legacy Foundation and the CDC, the Washington Post reports.
Senators Question Bush Administration’s Overhaul of Scientific Advisory Committees
In response to the Bush administration’s plan to restructure scientific advisory committees that guide HHS on a wide range of health issues, Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass) and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) sent an “angry letter” to HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson, asking him to explain the “wholesale replacement” of experts on the panels, CongressDaily/AM reports.