Latest California Healthline Stories
San Francisco’s HIV Infection Rate Doubles
The rate of new HIV infections among San Francisco’s gay men has “more than doubled” since 1997 and is “climbing steeply,” according to a “comprehensive analysis” by two dozen researchers and AIDS experts released today.
Senate Will Likely Confirm Tommy Thompson Today
The Senate will hold a confirmation vote for HHS Secretary-designate and Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson (R) today, with many Democrats predicting that he will do a well at “a very tough job” despite their policy differences with him on some issues, the AP/New York Times reports.
Measure Would Create Database of Potential Organ Donors
State Sen. Jackie Speier (D) has introduced legislation SB 108) to create a database of people willing to become organ donors when they die, the Ventura County Star reports.
Lockyer Defends Measure H in Orange County Hearing
Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D) said yesterday that the Orange County Board of Supervisors’ attempt to strike down Measure H was an “arrogant” attempt to override the will of the voters and constituted an “abuse” of authority, the AP/Sacramento Bee reports.
Online Enrollment Program for Healthy Families and Medi-Cal Announced
The California HealthCare Foundation, in partnership with the California Health and Human Services Agency and the Medi-Cal Policy Institute, yesterday unveiled the nation’s first online enrollment program for children and pregnant women eligible for public health coverage.
St. John’s Nurses to Strike for Four Days
Nurses at St. John’s hospitals in Oxnard and Camarillo will go on strike for four days, beginning Feb. 1, the Ventura County Star reports.
HHS Will Oversee Foreign Clinical Trials
The Department of Health and Human Services announced yesterday the creation of a new office that will oversee U.S.-funded medical research in foreign countries and address the ethical concerns such studies raise, the Washington Post reports.
The FDA warned Monday that “escalating” rates of antibiotic-resistant human diseases “demand a sweeping reexamination” of the use of the drugs on U.S. farms, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
President Bush Halts International Family Planning Funds
In his “first substantive action” in office, President George W. Bush yesterday reversed a Clinton policy allowing the use of federal funds for family planning services abroad, the Washington Post reports.
Lockyer to Back Measure H in Court
California Attorney General Bill Lockyer (D) will appear in court today to support Measure H, the Orange County ballot initiative approved by 65% of voters on Nov. 7 that would allocate 80% of the county’s tobacco settlement to health care services, the Orange County Register reports.