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Exclusive: Glitch puts squeeze on doctors
ABC 7 News - 10-02-2008 - This has been building for months. Doctors say they expected these glitches to have been cleared up, but they haven't been and so now they are speaking out. At a practice visited by ABC7 Eyewitness News near Huntington Hospital, 70 percent of its income comes from Medicare... "Some have had to borrow money from banks, and you know how hard that is these days. And some are afraid they are going to be closing their doors soon," said Dr. Richard Frankenstein from the California Medical Association.
Governor caves in to insurance companies on cancellation bill
Fresno Bee - 10-01-2008 - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger caved in to the insurance lobby, vetoing a bill that would have made it more difficult for insurance companies to retroactively cancel coverage after people became ill. This was a shameful veto by a governor who once promised to stand up to insurance companies. But he now stands with them when they mistreat Californians... "The governor's veto betrays the promise he repeatedly made to Californians to protect them from insurance companies cancelling their health insurance when they need it most," said Dr. Richard Frankenstein, president of the California Medical Association.
Aid programs see need rising as funds dry up
Contra Costa Times - 10-02-2008 - The state budget makes significant cuts in social services funding despite an unprecedented demand, as people lose their homes, health insurance and jobs and fall back on Contra Costa's safety net... "We were shocked," said Joe Valentine, Contra Costa's director of Employment and Human Services, who also lost $2.75 million in Medi-Cal staffing money. "It was more than we expected. We're just puzzled how the governor expects us to meet the needs of increased people coming to the office with decreased funding. I'm bewildered. ... They can make those decisions at the state level, but people are still going to be coming to our front door."
HIV dates back to around 1900, study shows
Los Angeles Times - 10-02-2008 - A genetic analysis of a biopsy sample recently discovered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has led researchers to conclude that the virus that causes AIDS has existed in human populations for more than a century, according to a study released Wednesday.
State budget includes changes for people with HIV/AIDS
Bay Area Reporter - 10-02-2008 - The state budget recently passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will likely mean changes for many people living with HIV/AIDS, especially those on Medi-Cal. The budget for the state Office of AIDS this year is $462,538,000, up from $427,993,000 in fiscal year 2007-08.
Senate Approves Financial Bailout Legislation That Includes Mental Health Parity Provisions
New York Times - 10-02-2008 - Insurers often charge higher co-payments and set stricter limits for mental health care than for the treatment of physical illnesses. The bill would outlaw such discrimination, and the government could impose an excise tax on health plans that violated the new requirement.
Cold Meds for Kids Back in the Spotlight
Washington Post - 10-02-2008 - After recommending earlier this year that children under the age of 2 not receive over-the-counter cold medicines, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday is meeting with the public to help answer an even more important question: Should kids' cold medicines remain "OTC" at all?
Governor vetoes medical marijuana bill
San Francisco Chronicle - 10-02-2008 - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a bill sponsored by medical marijuana advocates that would have protected most employees from being fired for testing positive for pot that they used outside the workplace with their doctor's approval.
The Financial Crisis Takes a Toll on Hospitals
Wall Street Journal - 10-01-2008 - Hospitals traffic in debt. They borrow money for big construction projects, and they effectively lend money to patients when they treat people without requiring payment upfront. So we checked in with a couple of hospital industry experts to see what the financial crisis means for the sector.
Waging Health Battles by Fax
Wall Street Journal - 10-01-2008 - My patient needed his arthritis medication. The local pharmacy couldn't get approval from his insurance company to fill my prescription for the painkiller Celebrex. They faxed me a form on which to make my case for the drug.
