Latest California Healthline Stories
DMHC Assumes Control of Lifeguard after HMO Fails To Maintain Net Assets above State Minimum
The Department of Managed Health Care on Friday assigned a conservator to assume control of San Jose-based Lifeguard because the not-for-profit HMO has failed to meet state solvency requirements.
Employers Paying Less, Reducing Retiree Health Insurance Coverage
Employers are paying less and less of retirees’ health insurance costs, and many companies have eliminated plans for retirees altogether, according to a study to be released today, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Davis Signs Health-Related Bills
Gov. Gray Davis (D) over the past week signed several health-related bills.
Pharmaceutical Industry To Launch Ad Campaigns To Boost Image
Already on pace to be the biggest spender on advertising outside of the two major political parties this election year, the pharmaceutical industry is planning to release a barrage of ads to strengthen its image, which has been “tarnished by political attacks and resentment over high prescription drug prices,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
Labor Department Report Provides Support for Bush-Backed Bill To Create Association Health Plans
Department of Labor Secretary Elaine Chao on Friday “stepped up” the Bush administration’s support of a “controversial” bill that would permit the creation of association health plans, under which small businesses could form purchasing pools to reduce the cost of health insurance for their employees, CongressDaily reports.
Mission Viejo City Council To Vote on Expansive Public Smoking Ban
The Mission Viejo City Council will vote today on whether to ban smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes and chewing tobacco on all property owned or leased by the city, which if enacted would be “[o]ne of the strictest anti-smoking proposals in the nation,” the AP/Contra Costa Times reports.
House Subcommittee Hears Testimony on Genetic Privacy Legislation
A House subcommittee yesterday heard testimony on legislation that would prevent genetic discrimination against people in the United States by their employers and insurers, the AP/St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Ventura County Group Prepares for Bioterrorism, Disasters
The Ventura County Star today examines the efforts of local health agencies to prepare for potential bioterrorist attacks and other disasters.
About 3,000 seniors in Somona County attended an informational session Thursday about finding new insurance coverage after their plans through Health Plan of the Redwoods cease operations.
Americans’ Overall Health Has Improved Since 1950, Still Room for Progress, CDC Says
U.S. residents are living longer and smoking less now than they did 50 years ago but are becoming overweight and spending more on health care than any other industrialized nation, according to a new CDC report on the health of people living in the United States in 2000, the Los Angeles Times reports.