05/21/2012
On Saturday, medical marijuana advocates launched a three-day event in Sacramento to rally support for a bill, by Assembly member Tom Ammiano, that would create a statewide oversight agency to regulate legal dispensaries. In Congress, Reps. Sam Farr, Tom McClintock and Dana Rohrabacher have co-sponsored an amendment that would block funding for federal efforts to close businesses in California and 16 other states that permit medical marijuana use. Sacramento Bee, Contra Costa Times.
05/17/2012
On Tuesday, the Richmond City Council voted 5-2 to put on the November ballot a pair of soda tax measures that seek to curb the city's high child obesity rate. The first measure proposes a 1-cent per ounce tax on sugar-sweetened drinks, while the second would advise the city council to use the tax revenue for sports and health education programs for local youths. If approved, the soda tax would be the first of its kind in the U.S. Contra Costa Times, KQED's "State of Health."
05/15/2012
The Obama administration has announced a plan aimed at finding an effective way to treat and prevent Alzheimer's disease by 2025. Officials also launched a website offering information for families and caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.
05/14/2012
The California Assembly is considering a bill that would require taxpayer-funded health care districts to spend at least 95% of their annual tax revenue on community programs and services and provide annual reports on their spending to local officials. Supporters of the bill include consumer advocacy group Health Access and Services Employees International Union California. However, the Association of California Healthcare Districts argues that the measure would hinder the ability of smaller districts to operate. California Watch.
05/02/2012
Since California lawmakers cut non-emergency dental services for low-income and disabled residents three years ago, community dental clinics have struggled to cover preventive services. In addition, the clinics have had difficulty finding specialists to perform more advanced dental procedures at a not-for-profit rate. HealthyCal.
05/01/2012
State officials and children's health care advocates are criticizing the Department of Developmental Services for unequal spending on autism services across ethnic and racial groups. Lawmakers are seeking legislation to strengthen accountability. Los Angeles Times.
05/01/2012
A new study finds that CalPERS could have saved up to $54 million in 2008 if members did not have as many preventable health conditions. Various groups have launched a program aimed at improving public workers' health. AP/Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Bee's "The State Worker."
05/01/2012
Type 2 diabetes progresses more quickly and is harder to treat in children and teenagers than in adults, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The findings could foreshadow a major strain on the U.S. health care system because poorly controlled diabetes significantly increases the risk of costly medical conditions. New York Times et al.
04/30/2012
Economists say the recent sharp decline in health care spending could be related to the recession, but other factors might be at play. They note that the decline also could stem from clinicians' and patients' changing views about health care spending. New York Times, Reuters.
04/30/2012
Despite progress in the treatment and prevention of HIV, a UC-San Francisco study involving 288 homeless men with HIV finds that unmet basic needs -- such as shelter, regular meals and good hygiene -- had the largest effect on the physical and mental health of patients. A 2011 study involving homeless women had similar findings. San Francisco Chronicle.
04/26/2012
The American College of Physicians and Consumer Reports have launched High Value Care, an education program to help patients determine whether a medical test or procedure is necessary. The program advises patients on procedures to avoid when there is insufficient proof that their benefits outweigh their risks and costs. The first two conditions that the program is focusing on back pain and Type 2 diabetes. New York Times' "Bucks," MedPage Today.
04/19/2012
Hundreds of U.S. community health centers are underperforming on key health care quality measures -- such as vaccinating children and helping diabetic patients control blood sugar -- according to a Kaiser Health News/USA Today analysis. The analysis – which was based on 2010 data -- found that centers in the South generally performed worse than those in California, New England and the Midwest. Kaiser Health News/USA Today.
04/19/2012
Sacramento-based SynGen announced that it received $5 million in funding from the San Francisco venture capital firm Bay City Capital to further develop its stem cell harvesting systems. SynGen will use the funding to develop, market and obtain regulatory approval for SynGen-1000, which harvests stem and progenitor cells for use in various treatments. Sacramento Bee.
04/19/2012
The California Senate Health Committee has approved a bill that would require screening of newborns for two lysosomal storage diseases. Some health experts are concerned by the bill, saying not enough is known about the diseases and their treatments. Ventura County Star.
04/18/2012
On Tuesday, the Assembly's public safety committee voted 4-2 to pass a bill, by Assembly member Tom Ammiano, that would create statewide regulations for medical marijuana dispensaries. Lawmakers voted along party lines, with Democrats supporting the bill. The measure now goes to the Assembly appropriations committee. AP/UT-San Diego.