Latest California Healthline Stories
Legislation to Ban Sale of ‘Junk Food’ in Public Schools Faces ‘Uphill Battle,’ New York Times Says
Although several states, including California, have proposed legislation to restrict the sale of “junk food” in public schools to address the issue of childhood obesity, “it is an uphill battle given the lobbying might” of the food industry and the financial interests of school districts that “profit from vending machine sales,” according to a New York Times editorial.
San Francisco Social Services Providers Protest Expected Budget Reductions for Health Programs
More than 1,000 San Francisco social services providers and their clients met Wednesday at the city’s Civic Center Plaza to protest expected reductions in programs for seniors and individuals with mental illnesses, HIV/AIDS and substance abuse problems, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Senate Approves Trade Legislation that Includes Health Benefits for Trade-Displaced U.S. Workers
The Senate yesterday voted 66-30 to approve a trade bill containing a provision that would help American workers displaced by international trade pay for health insurance, the Washington Post reports.
Showtime Networks To Air Movie Profiling Managed Care Critic
This weekend, Showtime Networks will premiere the movie “Damaged Care,” which profiles former managed care medical reviewer Dr. Linda Peeno.
House Republicans Still Working on Medicare Reform Package
House Republicans, who had hoped to pass their $350 billion Medicare reform package by Memorial Day, are still struggling to craft a plan acceptable to the party’s rank and file members, the Hartford Courant reports.
Senate Approves Bill to Prohibit Sale of Some Dietary Supplements to Minors
The Senate yesterday passed a bill (SB 1750) that would ban the sale of the dietary supplements ephedrine, creatine and androstenedione to minors, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Medicaid Beneficiaries Ineligible To Receive Share of Tobacco Settlement, Court Rules
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled this week that individual Medicaid beneficiaries are ineligible to receive a share of the national tobacco settlement to pay for smoking-related medical costs, the AP/Hampton Roads Daily Press reports.
Los Angeles Times Examines Los Angeles County Health Department’s Fiscal Crisis
It is “unclear” whether the state and federal governments will offer Los Angeles County a financial “safety net” to address the projected $688 million deficit in the county’s Department of Health Services budget, the Los Angeles Times reports in a news analysis.
Senate Unanimously Approves Bioterrorism Preparedness Legislation
The Senate yesterday unanimously approved a $4.6 billion bill (S 1715) to strengthen the nation’s preparedness against a bioterrorist attack, the Washington Times reports.
Senate Passes Legislation to Allow Purchase of Needles Without a Doctor’s Prescription
The Senate yesterday passed a bill (SB 1785) that would allow adults to purchase as many as 30 hypodermic needles at licensed pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.