Latest California Healthline Stories
Can the Health Safety Net Withstand a Recession?
Many analysts are concerned that the nation’s health care safety net will be overwhelmed by “millions” of people who could lose their jobs or become uninsured if a recession hits — a greater possibility following the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, National Journal reports.
PacifiCare to End Individual, Employer Coverage in Butte County
PacifiCare has announced that it will terminate its individual and employer-based coverage in Butte County over the course of 2002, the Chico Enterprise-Record reports.
Davis Must Sign Bill Guaranteeing ‘Reasonable Care’ for People with HIV, Chronicle Says
Gov. Gray Davis (D) has until Oct. 14 to sign AB 937, a bill that “aims to guarantee reasonable care for HIV patients by providing reasonable pay for doctors who treat them,” a San Francisco Chronicle editorial states.
Kaiser Permanente to Purchase Software, Warehouse from Webvan
Kaiser Permanente has reached an agreement with bankrupt online grocer Webvan to take over the lease on its “massive, highly automated” warehouse and to purchase the proprietary software that operates the Oakland-based facility, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Remaining Medicare+Choice Plans in Sonoma County to More Than Double Monthly Premiums
Seniors enrolled in the two remaining Medicare+Choice plans in Sonoma County will see their premiums more than double next year, the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reports.
New York Times Says Lester Crawford is Thompson’s Choice for FDA Commissioner
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson is seeking support on Capitol Hill for food safety expert Dr. Lester Crawford to become FDA commissioner, though he has not publicly announced Crawford as his choice, the New York Times reports.
HHS Awards Grants for Mental Health, Caregivers, Women’s Health
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on Oct. 1 announced several grant awards to help states and organizations address a number of health-related issues.
Idaho State University to Create Telehealth Care Center
With a nearly $1.7 million HHS grant, Idaho State University will create an interdisciplinary telehealth center to improve access to health services for Idaho’s rural residents, the Associated Press reports.
Bush Administration Should Adopt Clinton Era Arsenic Rules, Sacramento Bee Says
After setting aside Clinton administration regulations that would have set the amount of allowable arsenic in drinking water at 10 parts per billion by 2006, the Bush administration should now, in light of new findings from the National Academy of Sciences, move to adopt the Clinton rules, a Sacramento Bee editorial says.
HHS Investigation Will Study Medicare Drug Costs
HHS’ Office of Inspector General plans to conduct a “major investigation” to determine whether Medicare pays “too much” for prescription drugs used for chemotherapy, kidney dialysis, organ transplants and vaccines, HHS officials said yesterday.