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California Healthline is a free news digest reporting on health care policy and politics.
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Physician Files Lawsuit Against 1-800-GET-THIN President for I.D. Theft
An anesthesiologist is claiming that the president of the 1-800-GET-THIN marketing firm stole the physician's identity to establish a corporation that billed insurers for anesthesia administered during Lap-Band procedures. The executive has denied any wrongdoing. Los Angeles Times.
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No-Cost Mail-Order Condom Program Targets Calif. Teens
Last week, the California Family Health Council launched the Condom Access Project -- a no-cost mail-order condom program -- in an effort to lower pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection rates among teenagers. The state-supported program is available in Alameda, Kern, Sacramento and San Joaquin counties, as well as parts of San Francisco. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
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Lead Poisoning Still a Threat to California Children
California has made significant progress in protecting children from lead poisoning over the past two decades, but health care workers still are detecting unsafe levels of the metal in youths, particularly those from low-income communities. Experts say the number of lead poisoning cases could increase as new research emerges about the harmful effects of low-level exposure and as government health programs sustain budget cuts. Los Angeles Times.
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Bond Agency Says Calif. Counting on Unreliable Tobacco Funds
The state has borrowed billions against anticipated revenue it may never receive from a decade-old tobacco settlement. The settlement funds are linked to tobacco sales, which have dropped quicker than officials predicted as a result of tobacco tax hikes and antismoking laws. California Watch.
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FDA Announces Probe of Fake Avastin Sold to Calif. Physicians
FDA has announced that it is investigating vials of fake Avastin, an intravenous drug used to treat cancer. The agency has sent letters notifying 16 California health providers that they may have been sold the counterfeit drug. AP/Contra Costa Times et al.
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