Latest California Healthline Stories
AHRQ Breast Cancer Task Force Recommends Limiting Tamoxifen Use to Women at High Risk
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force yesterday recommended that only women at high risk of developing breast cancer should take treatments such as tamoxifen to reduce their chances of developing the disease.
PhRMA Files Suit against U.S. Government to Block Michigan Prescription Drug Formulary
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America on Friday filed suit against the Bush administration over its approval of a Michigan program requiring pharmaceutical companies to provide discounts to have their treatments placed on the state’s prescription drug formulary for Medicaid and other public health insurance programs, the New York Times reports.
Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal Examines State’s Independent Medical Review System
The Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal last Friday examined the low participation rate in the state’s independent medical review system and profiled new efforts by the Department of Managed Health Care to increase participation.
Federal Judge Denies Doctors’ Motion to End Contracts with Health Plan of the Redwoods
A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in Santa Rosa yesterday denied a motion filed by 17 physicians to end their contracts with Health Plan of the Redwoods, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports.
National Hispanic Medical Association Calls for Improvements in Health Care Quality for Latinos
The National Hispanic Medical Association on Monday called for increased efforts to improve the quality of care for Latinos in the United States, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Thompson Submits Candidates for CDC Director Position
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson last week reportedly submitted to the White House the names of two candidates to fill the position of director of the CDC, which has been vacant since Dr. Jeffrey Koplan resigned March 31, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Providers Want More Training To Help Treat Childhood Obesity
Many health care providers say they need more training to help treat children for weight problems, according to a new survey published as a supplement to the July issue of the journal Pediatrics, the AP/Houston Chronicle reports.
Doctors, Laboratories Today Begin to Track HIV Cases with New Code-Based System
State health officials today will begin to require doctors and laboratories to report new HIV cases to the state under a new regulation, the Los Angeles Times reports.
First Jury Award Issued Under Texas Patients’ Rights Law
A Dallas County jury last Friday ordered Cigna Healthcare of Texas to pay $13 million in damages to the family of a Texas man who died after the HMO “forced him out” of a skilled nursing facility, marking the first jury award allowed under the state’s patients’ rights law, the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram reports.
Assembly Republicans Refuse to Adopt Democratic Budget Proposal as New Fiscal Year Begins
California enters its new fiscal year today without a budget plan after Republicans in the Assembly refused to support a proposal approved by the Senate Saturday that includes more than $4 billion in new taxes, the Los Angeles Times reports.