Latest California Healthline Stories
U.S. News & World Report Looks at Obesity in America
The current cover story in U.S. News & World Report examines the increasing number of overweight Americans and the health risks associated with obesity.
Based on an error in the San Francisco Chronicle, California Healthline incorrectly reported in an Aug. 14 story that the Contra Costa County Health Services Department will eliminate a lead poisoning prevention program as part of a $1 billion fiscal year 2002-2003 budget plan. The story should have reported that the health services department will reduce staff in the program.
Santa Rosa Press Democrat Examines Impact of Health Plan of the Redwoods Liquidation
The decision by Health Plan of the Redwoods to end operations has “sent a ripple of uncertainty” through the Sonoma County health community, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports.
Providers, Consumer Rights Advocates Weigh In on New Medical Privacy Rules
Although privacy advocates “hit the roof” after the Bush administration announced medical privacy regulations that are less restrictive than standards first proposed by the Clinton administration, hospitals and health care providers “applaud[ed]” the rules, which became official yesterday, saying they “will maintain patients’ privacy and could lead to better health care,” the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Stanford University Medical School Reinstates Teaching Privileges for Nezhat Brothers
Stanford University has restored the medical school teaching privileges for Drs. Camran, Ceana and Farr Nezhat after investigations determined that, despite “deficien[cies]” with their scholarly publications, the brothers are “highly skilled gynecologists who took excellent care of their patients,” the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
‘California Connected’ To Examine Physician Shortage in Rural California Communities
“California Connected,” a weekly, hour-long newsmagazine produced by PBS stations in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and San Francisco that covers state events and issues, tonight will examine the physician shortage in the rural communities of Downieville and Oakdale.
The Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal last week examined the increase in the number of hours that hospital emergency rooms in Santa Clara County have diverted ambulance traffic this year.
American Legion Criticizes Bush Administration Decision To Cut VA Funding
The head of the American Legion, an organization that represents about three million wartime U.S. veterans, yesterday said President Bush had “let down” those who served in the Armed Forces by canceling a $275 million expenditure for the Department of Veterans Affairs to reduce backlogs at VA medical centers, the AP/Nando Times reports.
Federal Officials Expand Investigation of Hospital Supply Purchasing Group’s Business Practices
HHS has expanded an investigation into “how hospitals buy drugs, medical devices and other products,” issuing subpoenas to hospital supply purchasing group Premier Inc. and three of its contractors, the New York Times reports.
Sacramento County Likely To Return Control of County Jail Medical Staff to Sheriff’s Office
Sacramento County officials will likely return control of medical care for prisoners in the county jail to the county Sheriff’s Department after a review found a number of problems with a one-year experiment that shifted control to the county Coroner’s Office, the Sacramento Bee reports.