Latest California Healthline Stories
Davis Should Sign Nursing Education Bills to Address the Shortage, Fresno Bee Says
Noting that the nursing shortage will “only get worse” if it is not addressed, a Fresno Bee editorial “urge[s]” Gov. Gray Davis (D) to sign two bills aimed at “improving nursing education” in the state.
New York Extends Health Benefits to Immigrants
New York state has decided to allow all legal immigrants to receive health benefits under Family Health Plus, a new program intended to provide health insurance for the working poor who have incomes too high to qualify for Medicaid, the New York Times reports.
Thompson Addresses U.S. Bioterrorist Vulnerability Fears
Addressing the “possibility” of a biological or chemical attack on the United States, HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson said on CBS’ “60 Minutes” Sunday that “we are safer than we’d been led to believe.”
Many ‘Hard-Core’ Drug Addicts Sentenced Under Proposition 36
The New York Times reports that “far more severe addicts than anyone expected” have pleaded guilty under California’s Proposition 36, raising concerns among state judges, prosecutors and treatment providers.
Medicare Gets $8 for Every $1 Spent on Fighting Fraud
The federal government recovers $8 for every tax dollar spent fighting health care fraud under the False Claims Act, according to a report sponsored by the group Taxpayers Against Fraud, Public Radio International’s “Marketplace Morning Report” reports.
Davis Signs Several Health Bills Into Law
Addressing measures passed during the legislative session that ended in September, Gov. Gray Davis (D) has signed several health-related bills.
Health Care Premiums in Sonoma County May Rise 15% Next Year
Health care premiums in Sonoma County may rise 15% next year, the largest increase in a decade, the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reports.
Thompson Expects Action on Uninsured, Despite Sept. 11 Terrorist Attacks
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson said that despite Congress’ “preoccupation” with the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, lawmakers may address a number of health care initiatives, including legislation to help the uninsured, before the end of the year, CongressDaily reports.
Silicon Valley Foundation Launches Two-Year Plan to Build Children’s Hospital in San Jose
Silicon Valley business and health care leaders have launched a “grass-roots effort” to build a children’s hospital in San Jose in two years, the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal reports.
HHS Launches Medicare Accounting Systems Integration Project
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson yesterday announced the launch of a “long-term” project that will integrate Medicare’s accounting systems and replace the current “mainframe-based” system with a “modern, Web-based” accounting system.