Latest California Healthline Stories
Tenet Reports Increase in Fourth-Quarter Net Income
Santa Barbara-based Tenet Healthcare Corp., the nation’s second-largest for-profit hospital chain, more than doubled net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2002 on “solid growth” in hospital admissions and revenue, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Chicago Tribune Examines Patient Privacy Issues Surrounding Eli Lilly, Prozac Incident
The Chicago Tribune yesterday examined prescription drug marketing practices, which may “place patients’ health and privacy at risk.”
The House Energy and Commerce Committee yesterday rejected a proposal by President Bush to move health research responsibilities to a new Department of Homeland Security, clarifying that HHS would maintain “primary responsibility” for such research, the AP/Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
CMS Officials Prepare for Health Plan of the Redwoods’ Exit from Medicare+Choice Program
CMS officials this week announced plans to mail a 12-page information letter to the more than 11,000 members of MediPrime, Health Plan of the Redwoods’ Medicare HMO, in preparation for a court decision expected Monday that would allow HPR to exit the Medicare+Choice program, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports.
Senate Committee Passes Rx Drug Patent Reform Bill
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee yesterday “surpris[ingly]” voted 16-5 to approve a bill that expands access to generic drugs, the New York Times reports.
Los Angeles County Officials Approve Program To Provide Health Coverage for Some Low-Income Children
Los Angeles County officials have allocated $100 million in tobacco tax revenue over five years for a new program that would insure low-income children younger than age six, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Bush Calls on Lawmakers To Pass Privately Run Medicare Rx Drug Benefit During Minneapolis Visit
During a speech in Minneapolis yesterday, President Bush discussed prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries and called on lawmakers to pass a drug benefit that provides choices for seniors and encourages drug development, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
San Joaquin County Nurses Vote To Set Strike Date
Nurses employed by San Joaquin County on Tuesday voted to set a date to strike unless they reach a new contract agreement, the Stockton Record reports.
‘California Connected’ To Examine Community Outpatient Mental Health Treatments
“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 include a segment on programs that local communities have established to manage outpatient treatment for individuals with mental illness.
HIV/AIDS Costs Per Year Per Patient in ‘Advanced Stages’ Averages $34,000, Study Says
The average annual cost of caring for an individual in the “advanced stages” of AIDS is $34,000 in the United States, according to an analysis released yesterday at the XIV International AIDS Conference in Barcelona, Spain.