Latest California Healthline Stories
Debate Continues over Success of California’s Medical Malpractice Caps Law
As state and federal officials look to California’s law that caps damage awards in malpractice cases as a model for change, the “debate still rages” over whether the law is effective, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Pediatric Prescription Drug Testing Bill Passes Senate HELP Committee
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee last Thursday by voice vote passed a bill that would require pharmaceutical companies to test the safety of certain treatments in children.
San Diego Union-Tribune Examines Concerns Raised over Potential Shortage of Area Physicians
The San Diego Union-Tribune last Thursday reported on concerns raised by the San Diego County Medical Society about a potential physician shortage in the San Diego area.
Health Care Expected To Be ‘Dominant Issue’ in 2002 Election Campaigns
Health care issues, such as a Medicare prescription drug benefit, have moved “to the front” of the 2002 election debate on both the federal and state levels, the Baltimore Sun reports.
Eden Medical Center Lab Technicians Begin Open-Ended Strike
As expected, about 130 pharmacy, laboratory and X-ray lab technicians at Eden Valley Medical Center on Friday began an open-ended strike, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Political Maneuvering Prevented Passage of Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit
If the Senate cannot reach a compromise this fall on a Medicare prescription drug benefit, it will mean that Democrats have “failed to deliver on their signature issue in an election year, again,” the Christian Science Monitor reports.
The Department of Managed Health Care has launched an investigation into the financial standards required for state HMOs and medical groups in response to Health Plan of the Redwoods’ decision last week to liquidate and shut down by Oct. 31, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports.
Senators Unveil Bill To Address Funding Gaps in CHIP at Outreach Launch
Sens. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) yesterday announced legislation that would address “funding gaps” in the CHIP program and prevent 900,000 children from losing coverage over the next three years, when federal funding for the program gradually decreases, Reuters reports.
Assembly Approves Two Bills To Build Five Veterans Homes in Southern California
The Assembly yesterday passed two bills that together would authorize the construction of five new veterans homes in Southern California, providing 1,200 beds to veterans and their spouses, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Veterans Affairs Health System To Stop Recruitment Because of Strain on Resources
Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi yesterday defended the department’s decision to stop actively recruiting veterans into the “overwhelmed” VA health system, the AP/Baltimore Sun reports.