Latest California Healthline Stories
Belts Don’t Prevent Back Injury Claims, Study Finds
Workers who regularly wore back belts were as likely to report lower back pain and to submit workers’ compensation claims as those who did not use the belts, suggesting that the devices are ineffective at preventing injuries, according to a study in today’s Journal of the American Medical Association.
FDA Toughens Warnings, Restrictions for Accutane
The FDA is developing tougher restrictions for the prescription, distribution and administration of the “powerful” acne drug Accutane, AP/Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Santa Clara County Devotes Tobacco Funds to Insure Kids
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors yesterday unanimously approved an “unprecedented” plan that would allocate money from the county’s share of the national tobacco settlement toward providing health coverage for all of the county’s uninsured children, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports.
Houston Hospital Works to Improve Access for Immigrants
Administrators of the Houston, Texas-area Harris County Hospital District are proposing to ease access to discounted care for undocumented residents by requiring them to prove only that they live in the county, not their citizenship status, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Orange County Supervisors Vote to Evenly Divide Tobacco Settlement Funds
The Orange County Board of Supervisors yesterday voted unanimously to split this year’s $28.4 million tobacco settlement money evenly between health care and bankruptcy debt, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Ventura County Supervisors Propose Extending County HMO
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors will consider extending the county’s HMO to private businesses that currently do not provide health insurance, a move that could “trigger new conflict” between the county and Community Memorial Hospital, the Los Angeles Times reports.
GOP Calls Medicare Rules ‘Voluminous’
Should George W. Bush assume the presidency, he has vowed to “slash back” Medicare regulations, WebMD.com reports.
Myers Appointed Director of National Vaccine Program Office
U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher announced yesterday the appointment of Dr. Martin Myers to the position of director of the National Vaccine Program Office.
Texas Puts PacifiCare on ‘Administrative Oversight’
Citing late payment for physician claims and inadequate patient access to hospitals and doctors, Texas regulators have placed PacifiCare Health Systems under “administrative oversight,” the Los Angeles Times reports.
L.A. County Law Enforcement Targets Illegal Pharmaceutical Sales
Since forming two years ago to target illegal prescription drug sales, Los Angeles’ seven-member Health Authority Law Enforcement Task Force has seized an estimated $5 million in illicit “antibiotics, contraceptives, anti-inflammatory medicines and steroids,” the Los Angeles Times reports.