Latest California Healthline Stories
Universal Health Care Down, But Not Dead in Massachusetts
Although Question 5, which “would have paved the way for universal health care in Massachusetts,” failed at the ballot box, the state’s universal health care backers remain “undaunted” and have launched a new proposal, the AP/Worcester Telegram & Gazette report.
Money Plays Role in Childhood Obesity, Study Finds
According to a California Research Bureau study released yesterday, money is the primary factor influencing childhood obesity, the Sacramento Bee reports.
State Legislature Kicks Off 2001-2002 Session
Yesterday marked the official start of the state Legislature’s 2001-2002 session, and lawmakers got back in action, introducing 39 Senate bills and 60 Assembly bills, the Sacramento Bee reports.
The ‘Fast-Track’ to Approval and Recall of Lotronex
The Dec. 11 issue of U.S. News & World Report takes a close look at the process that led drugmaker Glaxo Wellcome, Inc. to pull the irritable bowl syndrome drug Lotronex from the market on Nov. 28.
No Consensus on How to Proceed with Medicare Givebacks
Returning to Washington yesterday for another “lame duck” session, congressional Republicans “expressed strong interest” in approving a measure that would restore some $38 billion cut from Medicare as a result of the 1997 Balanced Budget Act, but they “played down expectations” for the fate of the overall tax relief bill the Medicare givebacks measure now is attached to, CongressDaily/A.M. reports.
Defense Department Awards Contract to Build Health Site
Chantilly, Va.-based Integic Corp. has been awarded a $20-million Defense Department contract to construct a Web site to manage the agency’s employee health care information, the Washington Post reports.
N.C., Ga. Decide How to Spend Tobacco Settlement Funds
Despite some North Carolina legislators’ wish to “fill a looming hole in the state budget” with part of the state’s $4.6 billion share of the national tobacco settlement, Gov.-elect Mike Easley (D) remains steadfastly opposed to such action, the Raleigh News & Observer reports.
‘Arbitrary’ Standards Used in Breast Cancer Tests
“Arbitrary standards” used to determine the outcome of a test performed on breast cancer patients could lead some women to fail to receive treatment to prevent recurrence of the disease, the Washington Post reports.
Los Angeles County Health Care System Needs Reform, Times Says
Noting that the Los Angeles County emergency and indigent health care system is “trapped in a self-destructive cycle,” a Los Angeles Times editorial argues that the county “has to get down to solid reforms.”
FDA Accuses Red Cross of ‘Serious’ Blood Safety Problems
In a U.S. District Court filing last week, the FDA cited inspections of the Red Cross blood supply that indicated “serious problems,” and asked the court for the right to “impose financial penalties to spur the organization to faster action,” the Washington Post reports.