Latest California Healthline Stories
Los Angeles County Health Department To Require Hospitals To Report Disease Outbreaks
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services will require hospitals to submit written notification of outbreaks of infectious diseases after Good Samaritan Hospital did not report an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease for several months earlier this year, the Los Angeles Times reports.
A majority of registered voters in California support increased taxes to prevent proposed reductions to Medi-Cal in the state’s fiscal year 2002-2003 budget, according to a survey sponsored by the California HealthCare Foundation, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Tripartisan Group of Senators To Introduce Stand-Alone Medicare Rx Drug Benefit
A group of senators is preparing to introduce legislation that would create a stand-alone prescription drug benefit for seniors and a new program “designed to close gaps” in fee-for-service Medicare coverage, the AP/Baltimore Sun reports.
Surgeon General Nominee Carmona’s Confirmation Likely Despite Recently Raised Concerns
Dr. Richard Carmona, President Bush’s nominee for surgeon general, “appeared headed for Senate approval” yesterday despite questions about his background raised at confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, USA Today reports.
Health Care Reductions Could Threaten Medical Residency Programs in Los Angeles County
Hospitals officials have raised concerns that planned budget reductions in the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services could “upend” the county’s medical education programs and reduce the number of physician faculty members and medical residency positions at county hospitals, the Los Angeles Times reports.
President Bush’s proposal to provide tax credits to help low-income Americans purchase health insurance would make coverage more affordable than opponents of the plan have suggested, according to a new Health Insurance Association of America study, CongressDaily reports.
Wall Street Journal Examines Basics, Costs of Custom Health Plans
Dow Jones/Wall Street Journal yesterday examined custom health plans, which allow members to “design their health benefits the same way they customize their car insurance policies.”
Attorney General Orders Tenet Not To Close Daniel Freeman Hospital Until Conditions Met
Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D) has ordered Tenet Healthcare Corp. not to close Daniel Freeman Marina Hospital in Marina del Ray until the company meets conditions made when Tenet purchased the hospital last December, the Los Angeles Times reports.
KQED’s ‘Health Dialogues’ Program to Examine Mental Health Care for Juvenile Offenders
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 the issue of mental health care for incarcerated juveniles.
Contra Costa County Home Health Care Workers Rally for Higher Wages, Improved Benefits
About 30 home health care workers held a rally in front of the Contra Costa County Administration Building on Tuesday, calling for higher wages and improved benefits, the Contra Costa Times reports.