Latest California Healthline Stories
Lott Invokes Procedural Rule to Delay Online Privacy Bill in Senate; Future of Legislation in Doubt
Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) yesterday invoked a procedural rule to delay debate on an online privacy bill (S 2201) that would protect personal information, including individuals’ medical records, the New York Times reports.
Negotiations on Patients’ Rights Legislation Stall, Passage Before November Elections Seems Unlikely
Months of behind-the-scenes negotiations between the White House and the Senate have failed to produce an agreement on patients’ rights legislation, making it unlikely that Congress will approve a compromise by election day, the AP/Las Vegas Sun reports.
Judge Denies HIAA’s Request for an Injunction Against ‘Harry and Louise’ Cloning Ads
U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton on Wednesday denied the Health Insurance Association of America’s motion for a preliminary injunction in its suit to block television advertisements supporting therapeutic cloning that feature characters used in a previous HIAA ad campaign that opposed President Clinton’s 1993 health care plan, the Washington Post reports.
Senate Democrats Propose Another Measure Aimed at Reducing Prescription Drug Costs
The Senate Democrats’ prescription drug task force yesterday unveiled the “fourth in a series of measures” intended to address the cost of medications, CongressDaily reports.
Congress Could Pass Bioterrorism Defense Bill By Memorial Day Recess
Anti-bioterrorism legislation could be approved and sent to President Bush before Congress adjourns for Memorial Day recess next week, lawmakers said yesterday, the AP/Arizona Republic reports.
Parents, Lawmakers Should Address Childhood Obesity Problem, San Francisco Chronicle Says
Although the “solution” to the “delicate but serious” problem of childhood obesity “begins at home,” lawmakers also should address the issue, according to a San Francisco Chronicle editorial.
Teenage Smoking Rate Reaches Lowest Level in a Decade, According to New CDC Report
The teenage smoking rate fell to 28.5% last year — the lowest level since 1991 — according to a new study in this week’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Number of Uninsured Orange County Residents Dropped 31% Since 1998, Study Finds
The number of Orange County residents without health insurance has dropped by 31% since 1998, helped by a large decrease in the number of uninsured Latino children, according to a study by the Orange County Health Needs Assessment, the Los Angeles Times reports.
San Diego Council Member May Withdraw Support from Needle Exchange Program
San Diego City Council member Toni Atkins, who last year voted in favor of a needle-exchange program in the city, said on Wednesday that she will oppose the program if it does not produce positive results, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Financial Problems at Academic Medical Centers ‘Straining’ Attempts to Train Doctors
Budget problems at many academic medical centers have “strain[ed]” their attempts to train new doctors, according to a report from the Commonwealth Fund Task Force on Academic Health Centers.