Latest California Healthline Stories
VA Will Modify Scheduling System To Treat ‘Most Severely Disabled’ Veterans First
Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi has announced that the VA will modify its scheduling system to ensure that the “most severely disabled” veterans receive treatment first, the AP/New York Times reports.
FDA To Require Trans Fat Information on Nutrition Labels of Processed Foods
FDA officials said that next year the agency will require food manufacturers to include information on trans fat content on the nutrition labels of processed foods, the New York Times reports.
Doctors Increasingly Taking Political Action To Combat Rising Medical Malpractice Insurance Premiums
USA Today looks at efforts by doctors, “stung by rapidly rising malpractice insurance costs,” to become a more “potent political force” in an attempt to lower malpractice premiums.
Los Angeles Times Looks at Initial Health Services Reductions in Los Angeles County
The Los Angeles Times today examines the effect that a reduction in services at the North Hollywood Health Center and the Tujunga Health Center will have on the community.
Davis Signs a Number of Health-Related Bills
Gov. Gray Davis (D) yesterday signed several health-related bills into law.
Legislature Unanimously Passes Bill To Increase Traffic Fines To Fund Emergency Room Care
The Legislature on Saturday unanimously passed a bill (SB 807) that would increase fines for certain traffic violations by $200 to fund emergency room physicians, hospitals and trauma systems, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Service Workers Strike at Three San Jose Hospitals; Strike Could Spread to Stanford
About 1,500 members of the Service Employees International Union Local 250 on Monday launched a two-day strike at three San Jose hospitals, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Human Services Likely To Approve Medi-Cal Contract for Electronic Claims Processing
The Department of Human Services is expected to approve a $150 million-per-year contract with Electronic Data Systems for Medi-Cal claims processing, despite the fact that the agreement has “slipped under the Capitol radar,” the Orange County Register reports.
Lawmaker To Reintroduce Legislation Prohibiting Drug Marketing by Pharmacies
Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) announced yesterday that he intends to reintroduce legislation that would prohibit pharmacies from marketing drugs to customers on behalf of pharmaceutical companies, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Congress Returns from August Recess, Faces ‘Backlog’ of Bills
As Congress returns from its August recess today, it will begin to address a “backlog of major issues,” including the creation of a new Department of Homeland Security, the Los Angeles Times reports.