FROM THE FOUNDATION

Quality of Care Woes Persist in California

Despite a heightened focus on patient safety in recent years, a new CHCF Almanac report finds that although incremental gains have been made, California is still grappling with quality improvement.

HIT Adoption Among California Dentists

What's the level of interest among California dentists in adopting health information technology, such as electronic dental health records, and how many are already making use of such systems? This snapshot of survey data provides some answers.

Health Care Reform's Formidable Challenge

A new Health Affairs analysis and commentary finds that while federal health care reform promises to overhaul the U.S. health care system, it does not adequately address growing Medicare spending.

Public Health

Monday, July 26, 2010

Bills Address Distribution of Over-the-Counter Syringes

Two bills before California lawmakers would extend or change a current law that allows counties to decide whether to permit pharmacies to provide syringes to individuals without a prescription. AB 1701 -- pending before the Senate Appropriations Committee -- by Assembly member Wesley Chesbro (D-Santa Rosa) would extend the current law, which expires at the end of the year, for eight more years. SB 1029 -- pending before the Assembly Appropriations Committee -- by Sen. Leland Yee (D-San Francisco) would give pharmacists permanent discretion. The initiatives aim to curb the spread of HIV, hepatitis and other diseases.



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