Latest California Healthline Stories
Restricting Tobacco Sales Does Not Impact Youth Smoking, Study Finds
Enacting restrictions on the sale of tobacco products to minors does not prevent underage smoking, according to a new study.
Democratic Oregon Senate Candidate Criticizes GOP Medicare Drug Benefit Plan
Delivering the weekly Democratic radio address Saturday, Oregon Secretary of State Bill Bradbury (D) said that Republicans are “so beholden to the pharmaceutical industry they’re ignoring the problem of soaring prescription drug costs,” the AP/Las Vegas Sun reports.
Health Plan of the Redwoods Files for Federal Bankruptcy Protection
Faced with an $8 million budget deficit since Jan. 1, Health Plan of the Redwoods, which serves 78,000 members in Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake and Marin counties, filed for federal Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Friday, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports.
Nursing Shortage, Nurses’ Dissatisfaction Prompts Increased Union Action Statewide
The state’s unionized nurses in the past few months have conducted “informational pickets,” threatened strikes and walked off their jobs to demand increased salaries and improved working conditions, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Tenet Healthcare to Close Daniel Freeman Marina Hospital
Tenet Healthcare Corp. announced plans last week to close Daniel Freeman Marina Hospital in Marina del Rey, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Assembly, Senate Approve ‘Skeletal Budgets’ that ‘Differ Significantly’ from Davis’ Plan
The Assembly and Senate yesterday each passed “skeletal budgets” for fiscal year 2003, beginning the formal budget negotiation process that will determine how to cover a $23.6 billion state budget deficit, the Los Angeles Times reports.
FDA To Approve Some Treatments for Bioterrorism-Related Diseases After Testing Only in Animals
In a “major change from past practice,” the FDA yesterday said it will allow some drugs designed to treat the symptoms of biological, chemical and radiological terrorist attacks to be approved and marketed after being tested only in animals, the Washington Post reports.
Audit Finds Los Angeles County Health Department Budget Deficit $170M More Than Previous Estimates
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services has a budget deficit $170 million greater than the agency originally estimated, according to an audit released yesterday, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Nevada Gov. Unveils Medical Malpractice Insurance Reform
Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn (R) yesterday announced an expansion of the Medical Liability Association of Nevada — a state program established in March to help doctors meet their medical malpractice insurance costs — to include the cost of prior acts coverage, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
Citing Need for Patient Protection, Zingale Rejects Dismissal of Fine Against Kaiser Permanente
Department of Managed Health Care Director Daniel Zingale has rejected a ruling by a state administrative court judge that struck down a “landmark” $1.1 million fine against Kaiser Permanente over “alleged lapses in patient care,” the Los Angeles Times reports.