Latest California Healthline Stories
High Cost of Flu Vaccine Raises Concerns about a Possible Shortage
With the price of flu vaccines for the Department of Health Services more than doubling this year, the state has ordered only 270,000 doses, compared with 700,000 distributed last year, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Assembly Votes to Expand Medi-Cal, Healthy Families Eligibility
The state Assembly yesterday approved a “comprehensive” health care reform bill (AB 32) that, among other things, would expand the number of Californians covered by Medi-Cal and Healthy Families, at an estimated cost of $500 million each year, the Ventura County Star reports.
Senate Shift Could Mean ‘Renewed’ Attention on Generic Drugs
The “changing political dynamics in the Senate” could indicate a “renewed effort on” reforming the 1984 Hatch-Waxman Act, which governs drug patents, CongressDaily/AM reports.
Democrats Assume Control of Senate, Set New Agenda
In an “unprecedented midyear transfer of power,” Democrats last night assumed control of the Senate for the first time in six years, prompting both political parties and President Bush to “issue summonses to bipartisanship as the only way to get things done,” the Washington Post reports.
Overall Cancer Incidence, Death Rates Decline
Incidence and mortality rates for most cancers
dropped steadily in the United States between 1992 and 1998, according to a report published in today’s Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
New York Court Rules Immigrants Have Right to Medicaid
The New York State Court of Appeals ruled unanimously yesterday that the state had violated both its own and the U.S. Constitutions by denying Medicaid benefits to otherwise qualified legal immigrants, the New York Times reports.
Lawmakers Propose Bill to Expand Medicare Services
Sens. Bob Graham (D-Fla.) and James Jeffords (I-Vt.) and Reps. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) and Sander Levin (D-Mich.) introduced a bill Tuesday that would give Medicare beneficiaries coverage for a “wider array” of preventive care services, CongressDaily/AM reports.
HCFA Clarifies Scully Comments, Won’t Offer ‘Scorecard’
HCFA officials yesterday issued a clarification of administrator Thomas Scully’s comments Monday that the agency intended to issue ratings of the quality of care provided to Medicare beneficiaries, saying that the agency has no plans to “create a scorecard of ratings,” the Associated Press reports.
Teens Take Different Approaches to ‘Supercharged’ World of Sex
The Los Angeles Times today profiles two California “teen activists” with “diverge[nt]” views on sex education: Jonathan Knepper, who is part of an acting troupe that presents a play emphasizing abstinence, and Mahshid Rezapour, who lobbies lawmakers and school officials for more comprehensive sex education.
Capps Pushes for Increased Medicare+Choice Reimbursements for San Luis Obispo County
In a recent letter to HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson, Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) requested a higher reimbursement rate for San Luis Obispo County Medicare+Choice health plans.