Latest California Healthline Stories
Aetna May Expand Access to Care Under Settlement
As part of a potential settlement in a fraud and racketeering lawsuit, Aetna Inc. is “considering” expanding its members’ access to “preventative health care measures,” the Wall Street Journal reports.
Bee Examines Failing State of Physician Groups
Lawmakers have begun exploring ways to mitigate the impact of the state’s failing physician groups, which have struggled largely because physicians “simply resisted the realities of managed care,” the Sacramento Bee reports.
Los Angeles Times Urges State To Oversee Hospitals’ Finances
As California counties consider privatizing public hospitals and trauma centers, a Los Angeles Times editorial cautions officials to “pause” before making decisions and consider two recent studies, one by the California Medical Association and another by the Service Employees International Union.
Nurses, Health Industry Officials Differ on Nurse-to-Patient Ratios
California nurses and health industry officials are squaring off over proposed nurse-to-patient ratio standards, the AP/Ventura County Star reports.
Doctors Purchase San Clemente Hospital
A group of 12 physicians Friday purchased San Clemente Hospital, the Orange County Register reports.
FDA Considers Banning Human Tissue Imports
Adding to Thursday’s recommendation that the FDA ban blood donations from mad-cow afflicted countries, a panel of scientific advisers on Friday recommended that the agency consider banning human tissue imports, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Is Obesity the Latest ‘Sin’ of Suburban Sprawl?
U.S. suburbs, long “blamed for fostering social isolation and epic traffic jams,” stand accused of “another sin” — “making America fat,” the Washington Post reports.
Medicare Begins Rx Drug Benefit Trial Program
HHS announced Friday the approval of a “first-ever” experimental prescription drug program for Medicare, available only to retired members of the United Mine Workers of America, the AP/Arizona Republic reports.
Thompson Pledges Review of RU-486 If Confirmed
HHS Secretary-designate and Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson (R) said Friday he intends to conduct a new safety review of the abortion drug mifepristone if confirmed, the
New York Times reports.
DrFirst.com., iPhysicianNet Sign Comarketing Agreement
DrFirst.com and iPhysicianNet have agreed to co-market the iPhysicianNet network for electronic video detailing to more than 800 “qualifying” physicians in the Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. area.