Latest California Healthline Stories
Growing Number of Bay Area Gay and Bisexual Men Intentionally Engaging in Unprotected Sex
A growing number of gay and bisexual men in the Bay Area are engaging in “barebacking” — intentionally having unprotected anal sex — causing health officials to rethink traditional HIV prevention strategies, according to a new study, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Efficacy of Rx Discount Cards Not Clear, NPR Reports
NPR’s “Morning Edition” today reports on the “recent boom” in the number of drug companies offering seniors prescription drug discount cards.
Sutter Health Plans $3.5 Billion Systemwide Upgrade to Expand Facilities, Meet Seismic Requirements
Sutter Health officials yesterday said that the health care network will spend $3.5 billion over the next 15 years on renovations, expansions and seismic upgrades at medical facilities statewide, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Impact of USDA Exit from Foreign MD Program Examined
The Wall Street Journal today reports on the impact of a decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to end participation in a federal program that allowed foreign-born physicians to practice in underserved areas in the United States.
Soda Companies Have ‘Excessive Power’ Over School Distribution, Study Finds
Soda companies have “excessive power” in marketing their products to public school students in California school districts that are “desperate for cash,” according to a new study, the Riverside Press Enterprise reports.
Democrats Seek Health Benefits for Trade Displaced Workers
Senate Democrats are insisting that they will not move forward with President Bush’s request for “fast-track” trade negotiating authority — which would allow him to offer trade bills to Congress for a straight up-or-down vote without amendments — unless the measure includes health insurance provisions for American workers displaced by international trade, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Bush Expected to Outline New Ergonomic Policy Today
The Bush administration today is expected to announce its “approach to protecting workers against on-the-job repetitive- stress injuries,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
Provider Groups Praise Proposed Medical Privacy Change
At a news conference, health care provider groups yesterday praised the Bush administration’s revision of Clinton administration medical privacy rules, saying the new regulations will “be better for patients and providers,” CongressDaily reports.
Nurses’ Union Files Suit Against Tenet Healthcare for Alleged Violations of State Labor Law
The United Nurses Association of California/Union of Health Care Professionals yesterday filed suit against Tenet Healthcare Corp., alleging that the company violated state law by forcing nurses to work through meal and rest breaks without payment, the Orange County Register reports.
Health Affairs Web Exclusive Examines Uninsured
Despite an increase in the number of Americans receiving employer-sponsored health coverage between 1994 and 2000, the rate of uninsurance remained roughly constant over the same period, Urban Institute Health Policy Center Director John Holahan and Urban Institute researcher Mary Beth Pohl write in a Health Affairs Web exclusive.