Latest California Healthline Stories
Companies Begin to Market Behavioral Drugs Directly to Parents
In a front page story Sunday, the New York Times reports on the “increasingly pitched battle” over Ritalin and other drugs used to treat millions of school children with behavioral and emotional problems.
‘Cash-Strapped’ Alta District Hospital to Close Emergency Department, Cut Jobs
As part of a plan to keep Dinuba-based Alta District Hospital open, the facility will close its emergency department at the end of the week and will cut about half of its workforce, the Fresno Bee reports.
HHS Launches Web Site Focusing on Global Health Efforts
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on Friday announced the launch of a new Web site, http://www.globalhealth.gov, that “addresses the inextricable link between domestic and international health issues,” including AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and tobacco use.
FDA Approving Medicines at ‘Regular’ Speed
Despite charges from some pharmaceutical manufacturers that the FDA has been slow in approving new medications, and accusations from consumer groups that the agency has endangered the public with speedy drug approvals, “the latest government records” show that the FDA approval rate is normal, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports.
Medicare May Cut Payments for ‘High-Tech’ Procedures
Medicare plans to “slash” reimbursements for 1,100 “innovative and frequently used” outpatient procedures, including medical devices and drugs, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Web Site Offers ‘Succinct Reports’ on Lab Tests
A Web site can help patients determine the purposes, limitations, and “sometimes, the meaning” of lab test results, the Washington Post/Detroit News reports.
More Gay Men Having Unprotected Sex, NYT Reports
As part of its continuing “AIDS at 20” series, the New York Times reports on how gay men are “spurn[ing]” AIDS prevention messages and increasingly engaging in unprotected sex.
Last week’s Feature story, “Providers Skeptical Even as They Prepare for HIPAA,” incorrectly stated that the target date for compliance with the privacy regulations is February 2003. The actual compliance dates are April 14, 2003, for covered entities (health plans, health care clearinghouses and health care providers who conduct certain financial and administrative transactions electronically) and April 14, 2004, for small health plans.
USDA Grant to Improve Hawaii Telemedicine Services in Rural Areas
The Hawaii Health System Corporation, the state agency that runs 12 public hospitals, has received a $372,650 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to improve telemedicine services in rural communities, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reports.
Asthma Rates More Than Double Over Last Two Decades
Asthma rates in the United States have more than doubled since 1980, with nearly one in 14 — about 15 million — adults suffering from the chronic respiratory ailment, according to a CDC survey released yesterday.