Latest California Healthline Stories
Hollister School District Informs Parents of Children’s Weight Problems
The Hollister School District has begun to send letters to the parents of students considered overweight, “advising them to seek medical help” for their children, abcNEWS.com reports.
United States Wastes $390B Annually on Outdated or Unnecessary Health Care, New Study Finds
About $390 billion a year is wasted on “outmoded and inefficient medical procedures,” according to a study released today by a group representing large employers, the New York Times reports.
Thompson, Democrats Call on Drug Companies to Reduce Costs or Face Consumer Backlash
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson yesterday urged pharmaceutical companies to cut the cost of prescription drugs to avoid a consumer backlash that could result in price controls, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Vermont Governor Outlines Plan for Universal Health Care Coverage in the United States
Vermont Gov. Howard Dean (D) last Thursday proposed a three-part plan that would provide universal health coverage for Americans “without a disruptive overhaul” of the U.S. health care system and would require individuals “who can afford it” to cover a larger share of the cost of their health insurance.
Atlanta Tops the List in New Report Ranking ‘Kid-Friendly’ Cities
Atlanta, Ga., is making the greatest improvements among large U.S. cities on three children’s health indicators, according to a report released today by Population Connection, formerly known as Zero Population Growth, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
San Bernardino County Home Health Workers Vote to Join SEIU Local 434B
Home health care workers in San Bernardino County have voted to unionize, which could give them an advantage in contract negotiations, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports.
Los Angeles Times Examines State’s Increased Health Care Costs for Elderly Inmates
The Los Angeles Times yesterday examined the state’s increased number of elderly inmates, who have begun to “strain” prison budgets as a result of increased health care costs.
Although Blue Cross of California last month dropped a proposal to implement a tiered hospital plan, other health insurers in the state have no plans to “follow suit,” the East Bay Business Times reports.
Smokeless Tobacco Company To Pull Ads in Magazines with Young Readers
U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co., makers of Skoal and Copenhagen brands of smokeless tobacco, announced on Friday that it will pull its advertising from four magazines that have “significant” youth readership, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Two Groups Resolve Differences with Pallotta TeamWorks Over California AIDSRide
The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and Pallotta TeamWorks last week issued a joint statement that said they had resolved “all of their outstanding differences” related to the California AIDSRide, the Los Angeles Times reports.