Latest California Healthline Stories
Seven Hospitals Agree To Pay More Than $6.3M for ‘Illegally’ Billing Government for Some Procedures
The Department of Justice announced yesterday that seven hospitals have agreed to pay more than $6.3 million to settle allegations that they illegally billed the federal government for procedures that were not reimbursable, Reuters News reports.
Attorneys General from 29 States Sue Bristol-Myers Squibb Over Delays on Generic Competition
Attorneys general from 29 states yesterday filed suit against Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., alleging that the pharmaceutical company made “knowing, willful and fraudulent material misrepresentation” on patent applications for the cancer treatment Taxol to delay generic competition, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Assembly Approves Online Privacy Bill to Protect Personal Information, Including Medical Records
The Assembly last week approved a bill (AB 2297) that would help protect personal information, such as consumers’ medical records.
University of Nevada School of Medicine officials said that they will not participate in the revised Medical Liability Association of Nevada — a state program established to help doctors meet their medical malpractice insurance costs — and plan to select one of three private insurers to cover medical residents and the 250 full-time and 150 part-time physicians employed at the medical school, the Las Vegas Sun reports.
Health Services Face Possible Cutbacks in San Francisco, San Diego and Ventura County Budget Plans
With the end of the fiscal year approaching, a number of localities are beginning the budget process for the next fiscal year.
Editorials Look at FDA Fast-Track Approval for Treatments for Bioterrorism Related-Diseases
The FDA’s decision to allow approval of certain drugs that would protect people from biological, chemical or nuclear attacks without requiring clinical trials in humans “makes sense,” even if the process is not “foolproof,” the New York Times writes in an editorial.
Sacramento County Launches Campaign to Inform Women About Prevention of Vertical HIV Transmission
Sacramento County officials have launched a new HIV/AIDS public awareness campaign that will use signs, billboards and brochures to inform women about the prevention of vertical HIV transmission, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Davis’ Proposed Budget Would Cut $12M from Public Insurance Outreach Programs
Gov. Gray Davis’ (D) proposed fiscal year 2002-2003 budget would cut $12 million in funds used to advertise Medi-Cal and Healthy Families, including $6 million for school- and community-based outreach programs that employ workers to enroll eligible individuals, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Prescription Pain Relievers Overprescribed, Overpriced, Express Scripts Survey Finds
Pain relievers known as Cox-2 inhibitors, such as Vioxx and Celebrex, are “over-prescribed, overpriced, and an unnecessary expense for health plans,” according to a study released yesterday by the pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts Inc., the Washington Post reports.
New California HealthCare Foundation Journal Series to Educate Providers About Medical Errors
The California HealthCare Foundation has sponsored a new journal series to help providers reduce medical errors through individual case presentations.