Latest California Healthline Stories
Travelers Turning to Internet for Pre-Trip Medical Planning
Travelers to remote destinations are increasingly turning to the Internet for information to help them prepare for potential medical emergencies during their trips, the New York Times reports.
USA Today Editorial Criticizes HMOs for Dropping Seniors
While the managed care industry’s recent announcement that it would drop 536,000 Medicare beneficiaries would have been a “huge” news story if not for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a
USA Today editorial says that the industry’s action is still “galling, … especially considering [MCOs’] long history of stranding seniors who sign up with them after being promised generous benefits at low costs.”
Former Rep. Kennedy to Launch Rx Drug Discount Program
Former U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy (D-Mass.) will launch a private prescription drug discount program today for Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut residents, the Boston Globe reports.
Davis Signs Several Health Bills Into Law
Addressing measures passed during the Legislative session that ended earlier this month, Gov. Gray Davis (D) has signed several health-related bills.
WHO Report Outlines Bioterrorism Risks
The World Health Organization has “rushed” out a draft of a new report that found terrorists could kill millions with biological or chemical attacks, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports.
New Heart Attack Guidelines Emphasize Medications
More heart attack survivors should use beta-blockers and ACE-inhibitors, and women “should not be prescribed estrogen solely to prevent strokes and heart disease,” according to new prevention guidelines issued jointly by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology.
FDA Warns Merck about ‘Misleading’ Arthritis Drug Ads
On Sept. 17, the FDA sent a warning letter to Merck & Co. “chiding” the drug maker for “improper marketing” of its “blockbuster” arthritis drug Vioxx, the Wall Street Journal reports.
PacifiCare to Continue to Offer Medicare+Choice Plan in Orange County for Now, Phanstiel Says
Although PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. announced last week that it would pull out of Medicare+Choice in 15 California counties next year — dropping 32,713 beneficiaries — the nation’s largest Medicare managed care provider will “stay put” in Orange County, the Orange County Register reports.
Six Counties Receive Long Term Care Grants Totaling $500,000
California Health Director Diana Bonta recently announced that six counties have received a total of $500,000 in grants as part of Gov. Gray Davis’ (D) Aging with Dignity Initiative.
Northridge Hospital Nurses Vote to Join SEIU
Registered nurses at Northridge Hospital Medical Center voted 381-108 last week to join the Service Employees International Union Nurse Alliance, the Los Angeles Times reports.