05/23/2012
In the next few weeks, the California Senate Health Committee will begin debating a bill that would require parents to talk to a licensed health professional before opting out of immunizations for their children. The Assembly approved the bill on a party-line vote. KQED's "The California Report."
05/23/2012
Yesterday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid urged lawmakers to reach a deal on amendments to a bill to reauthorize FDA's prescription drug and medical device user fee programs. If a deal is not reached, Reid said he will move on to other legislation. The Hill's "Floor Action Blog" et al.
05/22/2012
At a recent forum, veterans highlighted claims processing problems at the Department of Veterans Affairs' Oakland office. It takes the office an average of 320 days to process disability claims, and nearly 40% of disability claims were processed incorrectly, according to an audit. Los Angeles Times.
05/18/2012
The Senate has started debating a bill to reauthorize and modify FDA's prescription drug and medical device user-fee programs. Some stakeholders discussed adding language to the bill to create a national system to track prescription drug safety. The Hill's "Healthwatch" et al.
05/17/2012
A Legislative Analyst's Office report finds that federal oversight of California's prison health care system could end without the state expanding certain health care facilities. LAO says California would assume $76 million in debt by completing construction. KPCC's "KPCC News."
05/15/2012
Budget subcommittees in the Assembly and Senate have rejected a budget proposal that would have curbed inspections of hospitals’ and nursing homes’ compliance with state laws. Patient safety advocates are worried that the proposal will resurface. California Watch.
05/09/2012
Yesterday, a House panel unanimously approved legislation to modify FDA's user-fee programs for drugs and medical devices and extend the programs for an extra five years. The House Energy and Commerce Committee is expected to mark up the bill tomorrow. Politico et al.
05/09/2012
California prison officials have asked a federal judge to end oversight of prison health care in 30 days. According to court filings, officials say the state has "transformed" inmate health care services and has the capacity to maintain the improvements. KPCC's "KPCC News."
05/09/2012
The Senate Finance Committee has started investigating ties between drugmakers, advocacy groups and organizations that set painkiller prescription guidelines. Meanwhile, the American Pain Foundation said it will dissolve for financial reasons. New York Times, Washington Post.
05/02/2012
An Institute of Medicine report recommends that FDA do more to monitor the safety of prescription drugs after they are on the market. According to the report, FDA should take a "life cycle" approach by conducting safety trials both before and after a drug is approved. Reuters et al.
05/02/2012
Reforms to improve patient abuse investigations are being enacted slowly at the Office of Protective Services, which monitors California's board-and-care institutions for patients with development disabilities. Efforts to retrain OPS staff might not start for months. California Watch.
04/30/2012
A Senate committee approved a bill to require health care workers to receive an influenza vaccination or wear a mask. Meanwhile, an Assembly panel is considering a bill on personal belief exemptions to the state's immunization requirement. Woodland Daily Democrat et al.
04/26/2012
A Santa Cruz Sentinel editorial commends Sen. Joe Simitian for reintroducing a bill that would "require doctors to alert women who have a breast cancer risk because their dense breast tissue is undetected by mammograms." According to the editorial, "Ignorance is not bliss -- it can cost a woman her life." It concludes that Gov. Brown should sign the bill into law. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
04/26/2012
Yesterday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved a bill to reauthorize user fees that drug and medical device makers pay to FDA for a quicker review of their products. A similar measure stalled in a House committee. The Hill's "Healthwatch" et al.
04/25/2012
This week, leaders of a House health subcommittee and a Senate health committee are expected to release a series of proposals to reauthorize FDA's prescription drug and medical device user fee programs. The programs are set to expire in September. Politico et al.