Latest California Healthline Stories
Fresno, Santa Rosa Officials Grapple With Rising Number of Ambulance Diversions
Fresno County health officials have asked the state health department for help with the growing number of ambulance diversions, the Fresno Bee reports.
San Diego Union-Tribune Profiles California Endowment President Robert Ross
The San Diego Union-Tribune today profiles Dr. Robert Ross, president of the California Endowment, the $3.4 billion philanthropic organization established in 1996 with some of the proceeds from Blue Cross of California’s conversion to for-profit status.
Washington Post Examines Reasons Behind Shortage of Childhood Vaccines
The Washington Post on Saturday reported on the shortage of eight of 11 childhood vaccines, which have been “intermittently in short supply” since last summer and will continue to be so for at least six more months.
USA Today Editorial Says Lawmakers Must Get Serious About Reform
Last week’s announcement by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System that its members’ premiums will increase 25% next year is a “clarion call” for lawmakers to undertake fundamental reform of the U.S. health care system, USA Today writes in an editorial.
Although the Department of Agriculture last week temporarily reversed its decision to end participation in a federal program that allows foreign-born doctors to practice in underserved areas, some California advocates and lawmakers say the decision does not solve the problem of attracting providers to rural areas, the Fresno Bee reports.
Los Angeles Times Columnist Highlights Medicare Coverage Changes
Los Angeles Times columnist Bob Rosenblatt today profiles some of the “rapid changes” taking place in Medicare this year.
Federal Judge Appears ‘Unswayed’ by Arguments in Favor of California’s Medical Marijuana Law
U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer on Friday appeared “unswayed” by arguments supporting the right of cannabis clubs in California to distribute marijuana to people who have a doctor’s recommendation, the AP/San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
FDA Drops Suspension of Pediatric Testing Rule
Reversing course, the FDA announced on Friday that it would not suspend a regulation requiring drug makers to test certain medications on children and would instead revise and improve the rule, the Washington Post reports.
Infant Mortality Rates for Blacks Much Worse than Whites
Infant mortality rates in the United States are “much higher” for African-American infants than for white or Hispanic infants, and African-American infants in large U.S. cities are up to five times more likely to die within a year of birth than white infants, according to CDC researchers, Reuters Health reports.
Hospitals Oppose Bill Requiring Them To Limit Fees for Uninsured Patients
Hospital industry groups say that a bill (SB 1394) that would prohibit hospitals from charging uninsured patients a much higher rate than patients with Medi-Cal coverage would make the facilities provide care for less than what it actually costs, the Sacramento Bee reports.