Latest California Healthline Stories
Lorillard Plans to Sue Over Anti-Tobacco Ad Campaign
Lorillard Tobacco Co. has “officially notified” the American Legacy Foundation that the company plans to file suit in 30 days to stop the foundation’s “hard-hitting” anti-smoking advertising campaign, the Wall Street Journal reports.
USA Today Looks At Debate Over Insurance Coverage for Obesity
In a cover story in its “Life” section yesterday, USA Today examined the debate surrounding the growing problem of obesity in America and whether it should be classified as a disease that qualifies for coverage by all insurers and the federal government.
Congress has directed HHS to investigate the feasibility and potential benefits of creating a Web site to provide physicians with medical alerts and treatment protocols for biological threats, Federal Computer Week reports.
FTC Settles with Eli Lilly Over E-Mail Privacy Violation Charges
The Federal Trade Commission Friday settled charges against drug maker Eli Lilly & Co., concluding an investigation into whether the company “violated its own privacy policies when it mistakenly released the e-mail addresses” of more than 600 Prozac patients, the AP/Fresno Bee reports.
Davis Expected to Announce Minimum Nurse Staffing Standards Today; 1-to-6 Ratio Likely
Gov. Gray Davis (D) is expected to announce today the state’s “long-awaited” minimum nursing staffing ratios for hospitals, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
MedPAC Calls for Increase in Medicare Payments to Providers
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission has recommended that the federal government increase Medicare payments to most providers, saying that cutting reimbursements or keeping them at current levels “could jeopardize access to care for the elderly and disabled,” the New York Times reports.
Valley Children’s Hospital Changes Name to Children’s Hospital Central California
The board of trustees for Valley Children’s Hospital has decided to change the facility’s name to Children’s Hospital Central California, the Fresno Bee reports.
HIV/AIDS Prevention Education ‘Critical’ Despite Davis’ Proposed Funding Increase for Medication
Although Gov. Gray Davis’ (D) proposed budget calls for a “substantial” funding increase for the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program, “[o]ther elements of society” must work on HIV/AIDS prevention and eduction efforts, a San Jose Mercury News editorial says.
Sierra Kings District Hospital Backs $6 Million Bond Measure
Following several local hospital closures, officials at the Sierra Kings District Hospital hope that Measure H — a $6 million bond measure on the March ballot — will help the facility meet “increased demands” from patients, the Fresno Bee reports.
New Nutrition Guide Provides Tips for Doctors, Seniors
To help physicians more effectively treat chronic diseases that afflict their older patients, dietitians are releasing the “first at-a-glance doctors’ nutrition guide” for seniors, the AP/Philadelphia Inquirer reports.