Latest California Healthline Stories
Attacks May Cause ‘Further Pressure’ on Health Care Costs
The Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the subsequent anthrax attacks, are putting “further pressure” on health care costs that were already expected to rise 12% to 15% next year, the Wall Street Journal reports.
MCOs to Introduce ‘Network-Within-a-Network’ Plans Featuring Steep Copays for Certain Hospitals
Several California managed care organizations will launch new “hybrid” plans next year that feature a tiered system in which enrollees will have to pay more to visit non-preferred hospitals, the Sacramento Business Journal reports.
Nurses at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center to Conduct Second Unionization Vote
Nurses at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 will vote on a proposal to join the California Nurses Association, the Long Beach Press-Telegram reports.
‘Buyer Beware’ When Choosing a Medicare+Choice Plan, Fresno Bee Says
Noting that managed care organizations choosing to remain in the Medicare+Choice program are raising premiums and reducing benefits, a Fresno Bee editorial urges seniors to take a closer look at their Medicare options.
Senate Democrats Propose Health Insurance Measures
Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) Tuesday proposed a $70 billion economic stimulus plan — aimed in part at offering health insurance subsidies — that includes $35 billion in additional spending to help unemployed workers and $35 billion in tax cuts for businesses and individuals, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Internet Key Component in Information System to Combat Bioterrorism
USA Today columnist Kevin Maney today reports on how the Internet could be used as an “early-warning and information system” against bioterrorism.
Bayer Agrees to Lower Price of Cipro After Thompson Demand
HHS officials announced last night that Bayer AG has agreed to lower the price of its antibiotic Cipro for the federal government after the Bush administration threatened to override the drug’s patent and allow cheaper production, the New York Times reports.
Davis Imposes Hiring Freeze, Orders $150M in Budget Cuts
To address a “looming” budget shortfall — now projected to reach $13 billion — Gov. Gray Davis (D) at a cabinet meeting yesterday imposed a statewide hiring freeze and ordered cuts of at least $150 million from state operations for the fiscal year ending June 30, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
CDC Faces ‘Harsh Criticism’ for ‘Slow’ Anthrax Response
The CDC yesterday faced “harsh criticism” from lawmakers who questioned the agency’s decision not to test postal workers who handled a letter sent to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) that contained anthrax, the AP/Nando Times reports.
Online Company Offers Cipro Prescriptions, Faces ‘Controversy,’ Investigation
A “recent spike” in demand for the antibiotic Cipro, the only drug approved by the FDA to treat inhalation anthrax, has buoyed the Raleigh, N.C.-based Internet company MedicalWeb.com, which supplies the drug to patients nationwide, the Wall Street Journal reports.