Latest California Healthline Stories
Racial Disparities in Cancer Survival Rates Not Biological, Study Finds
Factors such as coexisting medical conditions, income, insurance and time of diagnosis — not genetic or biological differences — are more likely to contribute to the racial disparity in cancer survival rates, according to a new study, Reuters/New York Times reports.
Ventura County Supervisors Vote to Fire ‘Embattled’ Behavioral Health Director
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors yesterday voted 4-0 to fire “embattled” county Behavioral Health Department Director Dr. David Gudeman, the Ventura County Star reports.
‘Harry and Louise’ Ads Return to Lobby Against Ban On Human Cloning
In an effort to defeat legislation that would ban all forms of human cloning, a group led by entertainment-industry executives is reviving the “Harry and Louise” television ad campaign that helped “torpedo” former President Clinton’s health care overhaul proposal in the early 1990s, the Wall Street Journal reports.
State Investigation Finds No Cancer Cluster in Valley Center; Some Local Residents Dispute Report
State health officials said this month that an investigation has found no childhood cancer cluster in Valley Center, but some local residents question the report, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
CMS Delays Implementation of a Planned $1 Billion Cut to Nursing Home
CMS announced yesterday that it will delay implementing a payment system change that was to result in an expected $1 billion cut in payments to nursing homes this year, the Wall Street Journal reports.
San Francisco Business Times Profiles Health-e-App Online Enrollment Program
The San Francisco Business Times this week profiles Health-e-App, a program developed by the California HealthCare Foundation that allows families to apply for public health insurance for their children over the Internet.
FDA Panel Recommends Irritable Bowel Treatment Lotronex Be Sold Again Under ‘Strict Guidelines’
Two FDA advisory committees yesterday recommended that GlaxoSmithKline’s irritable bowel treatment Lotronex — which was removed from the market in November 2000 amid safety concerns — be allowed to be sold again under strict guidelines, the Washington Post reports.
Baltimore Sun Profiles WellPoint’s Success as Company Attempts to Buy Maryland-Based CareFirst
The Baltimore Sun on Sunday profiled WellPoint Health Networks Inc., the for-profit health plan that has offered $1.3 billion to buy Maryland-based CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and WellPoint’s Chair and CEO Leonard Schaeffer.
CalPERS Members Feel Anxiety Over Increased Premium Costs
With CalPERS’ approval last week of an average 25% health premium increase next year, many state government workers are saying they will have to make sacrifices to afford the higher costs, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Drug Patents Supported by Doctors, PhRMA Survey Finds
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America yesterday released a survey finding that 75% of 400 doctors polled think patent protections are “very important” to new drug development, CongressDaily reports.