Latest California Healthline Stories
WHO Treaty Calls for Worldwide Ban on Cigarette Ads, Sports Sponsorships by Tobacco Companies
The World Health Organization has drafted an international treaty that would gradually ban cigarette advertising and sports sponsorships by tobacco companies, the New York Times reports.
Legislation To Expand Nationwide Telemedicine Services Introduced in Senate
Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) last week introduced legislation to expand and improve telemedicine services nationwide.
Senate To Conduct ‘Test Votes’ on Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Tomorrow
The Senate on Tuesday will hold “test votes” on the two competing proposals to add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare, the Hartford Courant reports.
Presidential Hopeful Howard Dean Reiterates Plan To Roll Back Tax Cut on ‘Meet the Press’
Presidential candidate and Vermont Gov. Howard Dean (D) yesterday reiterated his desire to roll back the Bush administration’s $1.3 trillion tax cut in order to fund a universal health system, the Boston Globe reports.
Los Angeles Times Examines Debate Surrounding Boutique Medicine
The Los Angeles Times today examines “retainer” or “boutique” medicine, the current trend of some physician practices offering “red-carpet service” to patients for fees ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 per year.
USA Today Op-Eds Address Proposals To Add a Prescription Drug Benefit to Medicare
With the Senate set to debate several Medicare prescription drug benefit proposals next week, a USA Today editorial says that the plans being offered in Congress are “at best, partial solutions” that are not financially viable.
Senate Approves Measure To Allow States to Extend Medicaid Rx Drug Discounts to Additional Residents
The Senate yesterday voted 56-43 to approve a measure that would allow states to use the purchasing power of their Medicaid programs to negotiate prescription drug discounts for residents who would not otherwise qualify for Medicaid, the Boston Globe reports.
The state Supreme Court yesterday unanimously ruled that residents who cultivate or use marijuana for medical purposes with a physician’s recommendation are protected from state prosecution under Proposition 215, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
San Francisco Chronicle Endorses Bill To Extend Medi-Cal Coverage to HIV-Positive Individuals
An Assembly-passed bill (AB 2197) that would extend Medi-Cal coverage to low-income HIV-positive state residents who have not received an AIDS diagnosis demonstrates “compassion and fiscal prudence,” and the Senate and Gov. Gray Davis (D) should approve the legislation, according to a San Francisco Chronicle editorial.
More Than 75% of U.S. Physicians Used the Internet in Their Practices in 2001, AMA Study Finds
About half of U.S. physicians report that the Internet has had a “major impact” on their practices, according to a new study released Wednesday by the American Medical Association.