Latest California Healthline Stories
Zingale’s ‘Regulate Less, Talk More’ Approach Works
Department of Managed Health Care Director Daniel Zingale is “regulating less and talking more,” Sacramento Bee columnist Daniel Weintraub writes, referring to Zingale’s recent efforts to foster communication between the department, health plans and consumers.
Child’s Death in ‘Attachment Therapy’ Raises Questions, Los Angeles Times Reports
Today’s Los Angeles Times features an article profiling the events surrounding the death of 10-year-old Candace Newmaker, who was asphyxiated during a “rebirthing session” to treat her “reactive attachment disorder.”
Leaders Discuss Ways to Combat Childhood Obesity
Strategies to stem the growing problem of childhood obesity were the focus of a meeting last week of public health, education and political leaders, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Kaiser Permanente to Lower Seniors’ Premiums in Five Counties
A recent increase in federal Medicare funding will enable Kaiser Permanente to lower Senior Advantage members’ monthly premiums in Fresno, Kings, Madera, Mariposa and Tulare counties, the Fresno Bee reports.
Organ Donation Tops New HHS Secretary’s Agenda
During an address to HHS employees Friday, new Secretary Tommy Thompson vowed to launch a national campaign to boost organ donation — an issue “very close to [his] heart” — in his first 100 days at the helm, the AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch reports.
Children’s Hospital Web Site to Offer Expanded Services
To become a “national leader in emedicine,” Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia will spend $16 million over the next three years to expand information and consumer services available on its Web site, the Philadelphia Business Journal reports.
Congress Members, Leaders Discuss Health Policy Issues
Unless President Bush “whittle[s] down” his $1.6 trillion tax cut plan, no money will be left over in the budget to address Medicare and managed care reform, among other issues, Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) said yesterday during the First National Health Policy Conference.
Bush Unveils $1B Plan to Help Disabled
As expected, President Bush yesterday unveiled his $1 billion, five-year New Freedom Initiative, which would help individuals with disabilities to purchase homes and work at “challenging jobs,” the Washington Post reports.
RWJF Report Examines States’ Progress with Uninsured
A new “State of the States” report — part of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s “State Coverage Initiatives” program –examines the measures states took last year to expand health care to the uninsured.
Santa Clara County Plan to Improve Dental Care Could be Model for State
Noting that “California does poorly in preventive efforts and in providing dental care to low-income children,” a San Jose Mercury News editorial says the state should pay close attention to a new Health Trust project that aims to improve children’s dental health.