Latest California Healthline Stories
HARMAN/KUYKENDALL: 36th District Candidates on Health Issues
Prior to the election, California Healthline is profiling the health care views of candidates in some of the state’s key races.
MINORITY HEALTH: Disparities Bill Passes After Delay
After an unexpected delay earlier this week, a bill that would expand research and education on the factors contributing to health disparities in minorities and medically underserved populations passed the House by voice vote late Tuesday night, the AP/Atlanta Journal-Consitution reports.
MEDICARE ‘GIVEBACKS’: Clinton Escalates Fight with GOP
President Clinton yesterday “escalated” the battle over a Medicare ‘giveback’ measure, which would return $30 billion to Medicare providers and HMOs over five years, demanding that Congress allocate more funding for health programs for low-income Americans, disabled children and legal immigrants and less for private health plans, the
New York Times reports.
BUSH/GORE: Prescription Drug Plans Unfair to Non-senior Americans
Writing in a Los Angeles Times op-ed, Daniel Shaviro criticizes Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush (R) for their “outrageous” and “disgusting … headlong rush to top each other in promising seniors a generous new prescription drug benefit through Medicare.”
NURSING HOMES: Investigation Uncovers Safety Violations
“Widespread violations” of federal health and safety standards exist in many Texas, New York, New Jersey, Illinois and California nursing homes, congressional investigators state in a report to be released today, the New York Times reports.
BALLOT INITIATIVES: Water Fluoridation On Ballots
With seven days to go before election day, California Healthline will take a look this week at a few health care-related ballot initiatives in some states, counties and cities.
ANTHRAX: FDA Cites BioPort for Production Problems
Last week, the FDA cited anthrax vaccine producer BioPort Corp. for 18 violations of “manufacturing procedures” at its Lansing, Mich. facility.
CHIP: Oakland Tribune Criticizes Funding Forfeit
An editorial in the Oct. 30 Oakland Tribune takes the state government to task for “forfeit[ing]” … $592 million in federal funds earmarked for underwriting health insurance for hundreds of thousands of children from low-income families.”
MORAN: Procured Loan From Schering-Plough Lobbyist
Rep. James Moran (D-Va.) received a “much-needed” $25,000 loan from Schering-Plough lobbyist Terry Lierman last summer, about the same time Congress was deciding whether or not to extend the patent on Schering-Plough’s blockbuster allergy drug Claritin, the Washington Post reports.
CONSUMER HEALTH: Doctors Warn Patients to Be Wary of Web Sites
Doctors across the country are warning patients that not all consumer health Web sites dispense reliable medical information and that patients must be wary of what they read, according to an article in American Medical News.