Latest California Healthline Stories
Depression Treatment Up, With More Using Drug Therapy
The number of people receiving treatment for depression has increased “dramatically” since 1987, according a new study, the Washington Post reports.
Contract Dispute Between Palomar Medical Center, Surgeons Prompts Trauma Center Closure
A contract dispute between a group of surgeons and Palomar Medical Center in San Diego County has forced the hospital to close its trauma center for the past eight days, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
State Health Officials Launch Pilot Program Expanding Genetic Screening for Newborns
State health officials yesterday launched a pilot program that expands the number of genetic diseases for which newborns will be screened, the Fresno Bee reports.
Supreme Court Denies Antitrust Appeal to Tobacco Settlement
The Supreme Court yesterday refused to hear an appeal by cigarette wholesalers claiming that the $206 billion national tobacco settlement violates federal antitrust laws, the Wall Street Journal reports.
New Atlas Maps Prescription Drug Use
A new nationwide drug atlas has found geographical patterns in prescription drug use, USA Today reports.
Judge Blocks Michigan Medicaid Rx Drug Formulary
A Michigan judge yesterday issued a preliminary injunction to block a state program that would require pharmaceutical companies to provide discounts to have their drugs placed on the state’s formulary for Medicaid and other public health insurance programs, the Wall Street Journal reports.
State Medical Board Should Disclose Physician Information, San Francisco Chronicle Editorial Says
Legislation “may be necessary” if the Medical Board of California continues to show “little inclination to change its policies” on disclosing physician information to the public, according to a San Francisco Chronicle editorial.
DMHC Launches Web Site Allowing Patients Access to Outcomes of Challenges to HMO Coverage Decisions
The Department of Managed Health Care last week launched an online database of outcomes from the state’s independent medical review process, giving patients access to the results of challenged HMO treatment decisions, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Kaiser Permanente recently donated $80,000 through its Cares for Kids program to the Los Angeles Unified School District to help boost student enrollment in low-cost and free health insurance programs, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Health Care Spending Increased 7% in 2000, CMS Study Reports
The year 2000 saw the fastest acceleration of health care spending in 12 years, marking the “end of an era of reasonable health care cost growth,” according to a new report released by CMS’ National Health Statistics Group, the Los Angeles Times reports.