Latest California Healthline Stories
Medigap Premium Rate Increases Slowed in 2002, Survey Finds
The average premium rate increase for Medigap insurance policies “slowed dramatically” this year compared to the two previous years, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports.
Davis Signs Bills To Build Five Veterans Homes in Southern California
Gov. Gray Davis (D) yesterday signed into law two bills that authorize the construction of five new veterans homes, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
San Joaquin County Reaches Tentative Contract Agreement with Nurses
San Joaquin County officials on Tuesday reached a tentative contract agreement with the county’s 560 nurses, the Stockton Record reports.
FDA Orders Tissue Bank To Recall Most Human Tissue
FDA officials yesterday ordered CryoLife Inc., a Georgia-based tissue bank, to recall all human tissue, with the exception of heart valves, distributed since Oct. 3 and to “destroy or stop distributing almost all tissue from its inventory,” the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
USA Today, Thompson Debate Using CHIP Funding To Cover Uninsured Adults
States that use unspent CHIP funds to provide health coverage for adults without children may “drive up federal costs and deprive other states of the child health funds they need,” according to a USA Today editorial.
Senate Approves Legislation To Keep HMOs in Rural Areas
The Senate on Monday unanimously approved legislation aimed at keeping HMOs in rural areas of the state, the Modesto Bee reports.
Contra Costa County Supervisors Vote To Reduce Funds for Health Care Programs in Budget Plan
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors yesterday voted 4-1 to approve a $1 billion fiscal year 2002-2003 budget plan that includes a number of reductions in funds for health care and other programs to cover an estimated $31.4 million deficit, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
ExxonMobil Plans To Reduce Tobacco Sales to Minors in Agreement with State Attorneys General
Officials from ExxonMobil yesterday announced that the company has voluntarily entered into an agreement with attorneys general from 43 states, the District of Columbia and two U.S. territories to implement policies aimed at reducing sales of tobacco to minors.
Superior Court Judge Orders Daniel Freeman Marina Hospital To Remain Open Pending Trial
A Superior Court judge yesterday ordered Daniel Freeman Marina Hospital in Marina Del Ray to remain open, “pending trial” of Tenet Healthcare Corp. on charges that it failed to meet conditions stipulated when it purchased the facility last December, the Los Angeles Times reports.
KQED’s ‘Health Dialogues’ Program To Examine End-of-Life Care Issues
KQED’s “Health Dialogues,” a live, monthly call-in program sponsored by the California Endowment to examine health care issues in the state, tonight will address palliative care.