Latest California Healthline Stories
House Democrats Unsuccessful in Attempt To Force Vote on Generic Drug Legislation
House Democrats yesterday unsuccessfully attempted to force consideration of the House version (HR 5272) of the Senate-passed generic drug access bill (S 812), CQ Daily Monitor Midday Update reports.
GOP Sponsors of House Generic Drug Bill Oppose Democrats’ Attempts To Force Vote
While House Democrats will formally file a discharge petition today to force a floor vote on generic drug legislation that has stalled in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the Republican sponsors of the measure are opposing the effort, CongressDaily/AM reports.
San Jose/Good Samaritan Medical Group Faces Financial Problems
San Jose/Good Samaritan Medical Group, the largest physicians group in the South Bay, is in “serious financial trouble” and may be near bankruptcy, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Managed Care Medicare, Medicaid and Private Plans Show Quality of Care Improvement
Health care quality for millions of U.S. residents insured through managed care Medicare, Medicaid or commercial plans has improved substantially, according to a new National Committee for Quality Assurance report.
CalPERS May Lower Earnings Predictions, Raise Premiums for Long-Term Care Plan
CalPERS officials yesterday announced that they might lower earnings predictions for the program’s long-term care investment fund in response to investment losses of approximately $99 million over the previous two fiscal years.
Health Officials To Distribute Health Report Cards on HMOs and Providers at Walgreens Drugstores
California health officials plan to use 323 Walgreens drug stores throughout the state to help distribute “report cards” that rate HMOs and physician groups as “part of a pioneering effort to put information about the quality of health care directly into consumers’ hands,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
State Cuts in Mental Health Care ‘Particularly Onerous’ for Ventura County, Editorial Says
Cuts in state funding for mental health programs approved by Gov. Gray Davis (D) put a “particularly onerous” burden on Ventura County’s behavioral health programs, a Ventura County Star editorial says.
Prescription Drug Use by Children Growing Faster Than Other Groups, Study Says
Prescription drug use by people under age 19 is growing faster than it is for any other age group in the United States, with prescription spending on young people having risen 85% over the past five years, according to a study released today, the New York Times reports.
House Ways and Means Committee Approves Medical Errors Bill
The House Ways and Means Committee yesterday approved a bill (HR 4889) that would establish “confidential, voluntary data banks” to store and study medical error data and help error-prevention efforts, CongressDaily/AM reports.
Sharp HealthCare Launches Retention, Patient Care Initiative
Sharp HealthCare hospital administrators yesterday launched a year-long initiative aimed attracting and retaining employees and improving patients’ hospital stays, the San Diego Union Tribune reports.