Latest California Healthline Stories
Lawmakers Propose Package of Bills Seeking to Boost Physical Education Standards
Concerned that many California children are out of shape and at risk of developing certain diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, three state lawmakers yesterday introduced a package of bills calling for strict physical education and fitness standards, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Many Small Business Executives ‘Dissatisfied’ with Health Insurance Costs, KFF Study Finds
Many small business employees will likely have to cover a larger share of the cost of their employee-sponsored health plans next year and may receive fewer benefits “if health insurance costs continue to escalate,” according to a new study released yesterday.
CHCF, CIHSP Attempt to Recruit More Hospitals for Round Two of PEP-C Survey
The California HealthCare Foundation’s Quality Initiative and the California Institute for Health Systems Performance last week began a “vigorous statewide effort” to recruit more hospitals to participate in the second round of the Patients’ Evaluation of Performance in California project, a survey of consumers’ impressions of hospitals.
Tenet Healthcare Posts 41% ‘Surge’ in Profit, 15% Increase in Revenue in Third Quarter
Tenet Healthcare Corp., the nation’s second-largest for-profit hospital chain, yesterday reported that the company’s third-quarter profit in fiscal year 2002 “surged” 41% from a year earlier to $288 million, or an increase of 86 cents per share, Reuters/Los Angeles Times reports.
Sen. Deborah Ortiz (D-Sacramento) has proposed a bill (SB 1394) that would limit the fees hospitals can charge people who are uninsured, as well as require hospitals to inform patients of their charity care policies and check if patients are eligible for public insurance programs, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Young, Low-Income Women Infected With Hepatitis C Also Likely to Use Drugs, Have an STD Infection
Young, low-income women in northern California who are infected with hepatitis C are also more likely to be infected with a sexually transmitted disease and have a history of intravenous and non-intravenous drug use than those without hepatitis C, according to new research published in the April issue of the American Journal of Public Health, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Low-income women are less likely to be diagnosed early with and treated for breast cancer and are more likely to die from the disease than women with higher incomes, according to a new study published in today’s issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the AP/Baltimore Sun reports.
Democratic National Committee Makes Medical Privacy ‘Top Campaign Policy Issue’ for 2002
The Democratic National Committee for the first time has named medical privacy a “top campaign policy issue” and plans to urge Democratic candidates to “push opponents to take a stance” on the issue, TechnologyDaily/PM reports.
Davis Offers Stopgap Measure for Child Health and Disability Prevention Program
Gov. Gray Davis (D) yesterday announced a proposal to transition low-income children currently receiving health screenings and immunizations through the Child Health and Disability Prevention program to “full-blown insurance plans” such as Medi-Cal and Healthy Families, the Contra Costa Times reports.
IRS Allows Obese Americans to Claim Costs Related to Weight Loss as Medical Tax Deductions
People diagnosed as obese will now be able to claim weight loss expenses as a medical deduction on their taxes, the Internal Revenue Service ruled yesterday, the Los Angeles Times reports.