Latest California Healthline Stories
San Joaquin Nurse Offers Training for Medical Interpreters
To overcome language and cultural barriers in the San Joaquin Valley and across the state, Marilyn Mochel is coordinating the Central California Interpreter Training Project, the Scripps-McClatchy Western Service/Ventura County Star reports in a profile.
31 Senate Staffers Exposed to Anthrax, New Infection at CBS
The nation’s fears about anthrax contamination heightened yesterday with news that initial nasal-swab tests show 31 Senate employees have been exposed to the bacteria and anthrax spores were discovered in the Manhattan office of New York Gov. George Pataki (R), the Wall Street Journal reports.
HHS Begins Campaign to Promote, Explain Medicare Services
With an advertisment in the Wall Street Journal, HHS this week launched an advertising campaign “to bring Medicare participants better services,” the AP/Nando Times reports.
Number of Women Lacking Health Coverage Increasing, Census Study Finds
Despite an overall decrease in the number of uninsured in 2000, the number of women without health insurance rose last year, according to U.S. Census data commissioned by the March of Dimes.
HIV Infection Rate Could be Rising Among Intravenous Drug Users in San Francisco
The HIV infection rate may be increasing among intravenous drug users in San Francisco, according to new research in the Sept. 1 issue of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, Reuters Health reports.
Bankruptcy Court Approves Sale of Maxicare Medi-Cal Plan to Molina Healthcare
Molina Healthcare of California has agreed to accept Maxicare’s Sacramento Medi-Cal contract, a move that will affect 8,000 beneficiaries.
Thompson Asks Congress for $1.2B to Stockpile Antibiotics, Vaccines
The Bush administration asked lawmakers yesterday for $1.5 billion to prepare against bioterrorist attacks, including $1.2 billion to stockpile antibiotics and vaccines, the Washington Post reports.
Ballot Initiative Would Create New Tax to Support Alameda Hospital
Financially ailing Alameda Hospital could be forced to close if voters do not approve a ballot initiative asking local taxpayers to partly subsidize the facility, the Alameda Times-Star reports.
Humana Unveils Online, Customized Health Plan
Humana Inc. yesterday launched an online health plan that will allow members to “customize the plan” to their needs, the Lexington Herald-Leader reports.
California Mental Health System for Children in ‘Disarray,’ Report Finds
California’s mental health system for “disturbed” children has “fail[ed] dismally,” as a lack of oversight and continuity of care has led many young people with mental illnesses to drop out of schools and “crowd” costly jails and mental hospitals, according to a report released yesterday.