Latest California Healthline Stories
Davis Signs Bill Extending Medi-Cal Benefits to People With HIV Who Have Not Yet Developed AIDS
Gov. Gray Davis (D) yesterday signed a bill (AB 2197) that will extend government-funded health care benefits to state residents who are HIV-positive but have not yet developed AIDS, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Individual’s Lack of Health Coverage Affects Entire Family, IOM Study Says
If even one member of a family does not have health insurance, it can adversely affect the entire household, according to a study released yesterday by the Institute of Medicine, the Boston Herald reports.
State Budget Cuts Could Cause Reduction in Counties’ Health Services
Ventura County may need to reduce some health programs as a result of a $10 million cut in state funding in the recently passed budget, the Los Angeles Times reports.
House Democrats Seek To Force Floor Vote on Stalled Generic Drug Legislation
House Democrats plan to force a floor vote on generic drug legislation by launching a discharge petition, a “rarely used tactic,” AP/Long Island Newsday reports.
Most Advertisements for Diet Products and Services Contain False, Misleading Claims, FTC Says
More than half of all advertisements for weight loss products or services contain “false statements or statements that were very likely to be false,” according to a Federal Trade Commission report released yesterday, the reports.
CMS Plans To Launch Online Clearinghouse with Information for Medicare Providers
CMS next month will launch a Web-based clearinghouse to provide information on health interventions and other health issues of importance to Medicare providers nationwide.
Gov. Davis Signs, Vetoes Health Legislation This Week
This week, Gov. Gray Davis (D) signed and vetoed several health care-related bills.
Health Affairs Examines Debate over Tax Credit Proposals To Help Uninsured Purchase Coverage
Although the Bush administration’s plan to use tax credits to help the uninsured purchase health insurance coverage has not received enough bipartisan support for congressional approval, lawmakers are beginning to investigate other designs for tax credit proposals, according to a report on the Health Affairs Web site.
City officials from Santa Cruz joined medical marijuana advocates Tuesday outside City Hall to distribute marijuana to patients who are authorized to receive the drug for medicinal purposes, the Los Angeles Times reports.
California State University Trustees Vote to Strengthen Restrictions on Outdoor Smoking
California State University’s Board of Trustees on Tuesday voted unanimously in favor of a proposal encouraging the 23 campuses in the system to “tighten outside smoking bans,” the Los Angeles Times reports.