UCSD Medical Center Has New CEO
UC San Diego Medical Center has a new CEO. Thomas Jackiewicz takes the helm of the organization, which includes two hospitals and the Moores UCSD Cancer Center.
San Diegans Urged To Throw Their Butts Away
The local chapter of the Surfrider Foundation is holding a Cigarette Butt Awareness Day tomorrow. Activists will be at three busy intersections in beach communities to urge people to throw their butts away.
California's Adult Smoking Rate Bucks National Trend
A new federal report shows the adult smoking rate in the U.S. has been virtually unchanged since 2004. California has fared much better than the national average.
San Diego Unsafe For Pedestrians
A new report places San Diego on the list of the nation's 50 most dangerous areas to take a walk. Over the past 15 years, nearly two-thousand San Diegans have been killed while crossing a street or walking in their neighborhood.
Free Service That Helps Smokers Quit Reaches Milestone
A free phone service designed to help Californians quit smoking has received its 500,000 call. The UCSD-based help line has been in operation since 1992.
Emergency Physicians Issue Guidelines About When To Visit An ER
The American College of Emergency Physicians has issued a new set of guidelines for the public about the H1N1 virus. People who have flu-like symptoms are encouraged to look at the guidelines before going to an emergency room.
12,000 People Expected To Race For The Cure
More than 12,000 people are expected to take part in a breast cancer race for the cure in Balboa Park this Sunday. Organizers of the event say it should raise more than a million dollars for breast cancer treatment and research.
Court Orders State To Continue Nursing Home Oversight
The California Department of Public Health has been ordered to continue issuing quarterly reports on its oversight of nursing homes. A Superior Court judge says the agency must demonstrate it is investigating complaints in a timely manner.
Court Rules State Violated Law Regarding Denials Of Autism Treatments
A Superior Court judge has ruled California regulators have illegally allowed insurers to deny care to children with autism. The case involved Kaiser Permanente's refusal to pay for a particular type of autism treatment.
Scripps Research Institute Wins Major Grant
La Jolla's Scripps Research Institute has been awarded $10 million to fund a new oncology center. Institute officials hope the five-year grant will help the center develop a better understanding of the behavior of cancer cells.
Hospitals Ask For More Time To Meet Seismic Deadlines
A number of hospitals in California have formed a coalition aimed at lobbying lawmakers to delay a deadline to make their facilities earthquake proof. San Diego's Scripps Health is among those asking the state for more time.
No Questions Asked At Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Health and law enforcement officials say prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in San Diego. Tomorrow, the County Sheriff's Department is inviting people to drop off their unused and expired prescription drugs, no questions asked.
Critics Call On Government To Change Rule On Electronic Medical Records
The federal government is taking public comment on a rule regarding notification when electronic medical records are breached. The rule says consumers should be notified only if substantial harm has occurred. Critics say that's too high a standard.
Millions Of Californians Could Benefit From Health Reform
A new study finds 93 percent of Californians under the age of 65 will have access to health insurance if Congress approves national health reform. The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research produced the report.
State Funding Restored For Domestic Violence Shelters
Domestic violence shelters throughout California have gotten a reprieve. Governor Schwarzenegger says he'll sign a bill that restores $16 million of state funding to the shelters.
Mesa College Opens Region's Newest Medical Training Facility
Mesa College is celebrating the opening of a brand new building dedicated to training students in six different healthcare fields. All of the disciplines are in high demand.
Study Shows Insured African-Americans More Likely To Use ERs Than Other Groups
A new study reveals African-Americans in California who are enrolled in HMOs are much more likely to use ERs than other ethnic groups. Staff at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research say they can't explain the phenomenon.
Activists Protest Against Anthem Blue Cross
About three dozen people protested in front of the San Diego offices of Anthem Blue Cross today. Protesters demanded the insurance company stop lobbying against healthcare reform.
Senate Says States Could Offer Public Health Insurance Plan
The Senate Finance Committee has rejected the idea of a public plan in its version of health reform. But the committee has approved the concept of allowing states to offer their own public insurance option.
Low-Income And Disabled Seniors Feel The Pain
A variety of cuts to California's safety net programs for seniors take effect today. A new report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research shows 500,000 seniors will be adversely affected.
Two Bills Could Change California's Individual Insurance Market
Consumer advocates say Governor Schwarzenegger can help reform California's health care system by signing two bills on his desk. One measure would prohibit insurers from charging women more for policies. The other would require all health plans to cover maternity care.
Appeals Court Rejects State's Move To Cut Doctors' Pay
A federal appeals court has rejected a move by the state of California to cut the rates Medi-Cal pays doctors by 10 percent. The legislature approved the Medi-Cal rate cuts last year.
2 Local Hospitals Fined For Dangerous Conditions
The state has fined two hospitals in San Diego County for conditions that put patients at risk of serious injury or death. Sharp Chula Vista and Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside were each penalized $25,000.
San Diego Hosts International Conference On Family Violence
One of the world's largest conferences on family violence and sexual assault is taking place in San Diego this week.
San Diego Lacks Capacity To Train Allied Health Workers
A new forecast predicts San Diego County will need more than 200,000 nurses, aides and other allied health workers by 2030. The California Wellness Foundation report says the region doesn't have the capacity to train that many people.
New Rules Aimed At Giving HMO Members Better Access
California regulators say they're getting close to setting rules about how long-managed care patients have to wait to get doctor appointments. About 20 million Californians will be affected by the new regulations
Bill To Require Insurers To Cover HPV Vaccine
The state legislature has approved a bill that would require insurers that cover cervical cancer treatments and to also pay for a vaccine designed to prevent the disease.
California Hospitals Hold Disaster Planning Conference
Hundreds of doctors, nurses and hospital officials will meet in Sacramento this week to talk about disaster planning. It's the third annual statewide conference on disaster preparedness for hospitals.
Judge Prevents Cuts To Adult Day Health Care Services
A federal judge has blocked the state of California from making cuts to adult day health care programs. The temporary injunction means thousands of disabled seniors and adults with mental illnesses can get care five days a week.
Bill Would Require More Training For Tattoo And Body Piercing Artists
California's tattoo and body piercing artists would be subject to new regulations under a bill approved by the state legislature. The measure would impose tighter safety rules and more training.
Calif. Passes Bill To Make it Harder for Insurers to Cancel Coverage
The California Legislature has approved a bill that will make it tougher for health insurers to cancel a policy after a person becomes sick. Supporters say it addresses a practice that's all too common.
Assembly Will Vote on Bill to Limit BPA
The state assembly will vote Wednesday on a measure that would ban the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) from products designed for young children. Supporters say BPA may cause serious health problems.
California Tobacco Importer Finds a Way Around Federal Ban
The Food and Drug Administration will start enforcing a ban on flavored cigarettes next month. But a California based importer of clove-flavored cigarettes has found a way around the new law.
Healthy Families Gets A Shot in the Arm
Healthcare providers are applauding California lawmakers for striking a deal that saves the Healthy Families program. The arrangement means nearly 700,000 children who would have lost their health insurance will hold onto it.
Insurers Ask Employees to Lobby on Health Care Reform
Two of America's biggest health insurers have been asking their employees to lobby members of Congress about health reform. The non-profit group Consumer Watchdog is asking California's attorney general to investigate.
State Senate Considers Mandatory Maternity Benefits
The California State Senate is considering a measure that would require all health insurance plans to include maternity coverage. The assembly has already approved the bill.
Hospitals Want More Time to Make Facilities Earthquake Proof
California hospitals are looking to bypass a 2013 deadline to make their facilities earthquake-safe. The California Hospital Association says most of its members can't afford the construction costs.
Many San Diegans Saddled With Medical Debt
One in ten adults in San Diego County is saddled with medical debt. A new report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research reveals medical debt is a problem statewide.
New Community Clinic Opens in Vista
Despite state budget cuts, one community health provider in North County is expanding. The Vista Community Clinic has just opened a new facility to treat the under-served.
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