Latest California Healthline Stories
Santa Clara County Children’s Insurance Program Enrolls 15,000 Children in First Seven Months
Since January, more than 15,000 Santa Clara County children have been enrolled in one of three public health insurance programs through the county’s Children’s Health Initiative, which aims to provide coverage to all county children, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Bush, Norwood Move Closer to Patients’ Rights Deal
Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-Ga.) has moved closer to a compromise with the White House on patients’ rights legislation, which could trigger a House vote on the issue this week, the New York Times reports.
Judge Upholds Ruling in Justice Department Tobacco Case
U.S. District Court Judge Gladys Kessler last Friday denied an appeal filed last month by the Justice Department to “revive parts of its lawsuit” against the nation’s major cigarette makers, “handing a victory” to Big Tobacco, the Bloomberg News/Richmond Times-Dispatch reports.
Noting that the lowest prescription drug prices have been “scored” through bulk purchasing programs such as those established in Canada and Australia, a Los Angeles Times editorial says that there is “good reason to welcome” two new multi-state drug purchasing initiatives — one established by eight Northeastern states and one being planned by five mostly Southern states.
Thompson Announces Task Force to Enhance HHS Services in Rural Communities
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson last week announced the creation of a Rural Task Force to examine how the agency’s programs can better serve rural communities, including increasing rural hospitals’ access to new technology.
CMS Announces Skilled Nursing Facilities Rate Increase
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (formerly HCFA) announced last Thursday a 10.3% increase in Medicare payments to skilled nursing facilities beginning Oct. 1, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Los Angeles Times Profiles Department of Managed Health Care on Its One-Year Anniversary
Today’s Los Angeles Times examines California’s Department of Managed Health Care, which may provide a “glimpse” into how expanding patients’ rights to secure a second opinion about a medical decision may “play out for most Americans.”
With Talks Ongoing, Vote on Patients’ Rights in House May Be Delayed
House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) said yesterday that President Bush and Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-Ga.) have made progress in negotiations over patients’ rights legislation, adding that he may delay a vote in the House until September “if negotiators need more time,” Reuters/Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Los Angeles Times Looks at Troubles at Red Cross
Facing regulatory and financial problems, the American Red Cross, the top supplier of blood to American hospitals, is charging “dramatically higher” prices, leaving some hospitals “scrambling” to find alternative sources as the nation’s blood shortage worsens, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Volunteer Group Provides Transportation to Medical Appointments
In a weekend feature story, the Los Angeles Times profiles Friends in Service Here, or FISH, a “loosely organized international” charity that pairs volunteer drivers with those requiring transportation “almost exclusively for medical treatment.”