Month: June 2012
California legislature approves main budget bill
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) – California’s legislature on Friday approved the main bill in a state budget plan advanced by its Democratic leaders to close a $15.7 billion shortfall despite opposition from Democratic Governor Jerry Brown. The votes by the Assembly and state Senate on the $92 billion budget plan followed vows by Democratic leaders of the bodies that they would meet the legislature’s midnight deadline for a budget plan. The bill now goes to Brown, who is at odds with top Democratic lawmakers over spending cuts aimed at programs providing services to the state’s neediest. …
WellPoint to settle class action suit for $90 million
(Reuters) – Health insurer WellPoint Inc has agreed to pay $90 million to settle a class-action lawsuit against its Anthem unit over accusations the company did not fairly compensate former members when Anthem was converted from a mutual company into a stock company. If approved by a U.S. federal judge in Indiana, the settlement would resolve all claims asserted by the class, according to court documents filed on Friday. Following news of the settlement WellPoint, in a regulatory filing, lowered its full-year profit forecast by 8 cents per share. …
Plague confirmed in Oregon man bitten by stray cat
Smoking Hotlines Can Flag Problem Drinking
Persistence Learned from Fathers
Uninsured women less likely to get cancer screening
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – People without health insurance in rural areas are less likely to be up-to-date for routine health check-ups and cancer screening than those with coverage, according to a new study. Cancer screening has been a contentious issue in recent years. Even by government-backed U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) standards, which some consider to be relatively conservative, screening rates for breast and cervical cancer were low in the study. Only about half of women in the Oregon-based research met USPSTF recommendations. …
State Laws Cut Teen Drinking and Driving, Large Study Shows
Kids With Autism Face Health Care Disparities, Study Finds
FRIDAY, June 15 (HealthDay News) — Although children with autism spectrum disorders need more health care services, they have less access to specialized care than children with other conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, according to a new study.
Fathers Can Teach Their Children Persistence: Study
Does Weight-Loss Surgery Work for Teens? Yes, Study Says
FRIDAY, June 15 (HealthDay News) — Many doctors hesitate to recommend weight-loss surgery for obese teenagers, but a new study has found that may be both safe and effective.