Morning Breakouts

Latest California Healthline Stories

‘Debate’ Prescription Drugs, Patients’ Rights

Although a continent apart, Rep. James Rogan (R-Glendale) and challenger state Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) sparred yesterday on the issues of patients’ rights and a Medicare prescription drug benefit in the battle for California’s 27th Congressional District seat.

Organizations Seek to Help Consumers

Several health and Internet organizations are promoting health care Web site ethics standards to help consumers “evaluate the deluge of medical information on the Web,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

KENTUCKY: Business Quashes HMO Issue in Heated House Race

While six months ago Democrats targeted Rep. Ernie Fletcher (R-Ky.) — under “vigorous attack” for voting against the House-passed Norwood-Dingell patients’ rights bill — for defeat in Kentucky’s 6th District, the physician-turned-congress member now has the edge over former Rep. Scotty Baesler (D), the Wall Street Journal reports.

CONGRESS: ‘Bolting for Home’ Despite Unfinished Business

Unable to reach agreement with the White House on “crucial” end-of-the-year issues over the last three “dizzying days,” the Senate has adjourned until Nov. 14, and House Republicans may not be far behind, the New York Times reports.

CHILDREN’S INSURANCE: Some Communities Show Improvement

Boston, Little Rock, Ark., and Syracuse, N.Y., each experienced a “significant decline” in the percentage of uninsured children between 1996-1997 and 1998-1999, according to a new study from the Center for Studying Health System Change.

STANFORD: Donation to Fund Pulmonary Vascular Center

Stanford University Medical Center received an anonymous $31.8 million donation to establish a center for the treatment of pulmonary vascular disease in adults and children, illnesses that range from congenital heart disease to autoimmune and clotting disorders, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.