Latest California Healthline Stories
UMC Trauma Center in Las Vegas Reopens with Temporary Staff
The trauma center of the University Medical Center in Las Vegas reopened on Saturday after a number of private practice physicians agreed to staff the facility temporarily, the AP/Nando Times reports.
Sutter Health Hospitals, CNA Reach Tentative Agreements, Avert One-Day Strike
The California Nurses Association and Sutter Health have reached tentative labor agreements at several Bay Area hospitals, averting a possible one-day strike planned for Wednesday, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Wall Street Journal Examines Challenges Faced by Los Angeles DHS Director Garthwaite
The Wall Street Journal today examines the challenges faced by Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Director Thomas Garthwaite, whose main task is to tackle a projected $700 million deficit in the department’s $2.9 billion operating budget for 2005.
CHIP Has Led to Decrease in Rates of Uninsured Children, New CDC Study Reports
The percentage of uninsured U.S. children decreased by more than 20% between 1997 and 2001, according to a new CDC study.
National Governors Association Asks Congress for Relief with Medicaid Costs
In a meeting this weekend, the National Governors Association discussed many states’ revenue shortfalls, caused in large part by rising Medicaid costs, the New York Times reports.
Sacramento Bee Examines Controversy over Mandatory Hepatitis A Vaccination Bill
The Sacramento Bee yesterday examined the controversy over an Assembly-passed bill (AB 915) that would require children in seven southern California counties with large Latino populations to receive hepatitis A vaccinations before they enter kindergarten.
More Children Insured, Teen Smoking and Birthrates Down, New Study Finds
More children had health insurance in 2000 than at any point within the past 15 years, and teen smoking and birthrates also declined, according to a new report on children’s health, the Washington Post reports.
Former Residents, Families File Suit Against Vallejo Nursing Home for Alleged ‘Transfer Trauma’
About 75 former residents of the Vallejo-based Sereno Care Center or their families have filed a class-action lawsuit against Horizon West Inc., the owner of the nursing home, for alleged “flagrant and systematic” violations of state laws drafted to protect nursing home residents transferred to other facilities, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Government, Health Care Industry Should Share Cost of Physician Order Entry Systems with Hospitals
Government agencies, employers and health insurers should help hospitals cover the cost of computerized physician order entry systems — which can reduce medical errors and improve quality of care — and fund additional research on CPOE benefits and implementation strategies, according to a report published in the July/August issue of Health Affairs.
Hormone Replacement Therapy Users File Class-Action Against Wyeth Suit Over Health Risks
“[M]ore bad news” for Wyeth came yesterday as a class-action lawsuit was filed on behalf of women taking the company’s hormone replacement therapy Prempro, the Los Angeles Times reports.