May 7, 2010 (Washington D.C.) The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with C&T International Sorelle, announces a voluntary recall of numerous drop-side cribs sold from 2000 through March 2010 in retailers nationwide for approximately $300-$600. This recall involves C&T International, Sorelle and Golden Baby wood cribs. The full-size cribs were sold in natural, white and cherry finishes.

Lead levels 10,000 times higher than legal level found
 

May 3, 2010 (Washington D.C.) --The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to purchase nor consume Vita Breath, a dietary supplement manufactured by American Herbal Lab Inc. of Rosemead, Calif., and marketed at health fairs and on the Internet, because the product may contain hazardous levels of lead.

Tylenol, Motrin, Bendryl, and Zyrtec on list; FDA offers consumer advice
 

May 1, 2010 (Washington D.C.) –Working in consultation with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), McNeil Consumer Healthcare is implementing a voluntary recall of infant and children’s liquid products due to manufacturing deficiencies which may affect quality, purity or potency. Following McNeil’s recall announcement on Friday evening, the FDA is providing additional the following advice to consumers.

Insurer also targeted breast cancer patients with computer program to terminate their coverage

April 27, 2010 (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) expressed outrage after Reuters published a story detailing how WellPoint Inc. used a special computer program to target breast cancer patients and terminate their health coverage. (Read the story here.) WellPoint is the parent company of Anthem Blue Cross of California, which plans to hike premium rates by up to 39 percent on 800,000 California policyholders on May 1.

"We have a duty to protect the American people from the corporate greed of these for-profit, publically traded health insurance companies," said Senator Feinstein. "If a CEO thinks it is okay to deprive women of their health coverage when they become seriously ill with breast cancer, we can't trust them to do the right thing, period. Left to their own devices, companies like WellPoint will throw paying customers to the sharks for the sake of profit."

April 15, 2010 (San Diego) California Attorney General Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown Jr. today announced the arrests of a Chula Vista doctor and two employees operating a "complex, multi-level scheme" that bilked more than $200,000 from low-income patients and government agencies by overcharging and prescribed pain medication to individuals who had no medical need for it.
"These individuals operated a complex, multi-level fraud scheme," Brown said. "Today's arrests are a result of the cooperative efforts of state and federal law enforcement to take this dirty doctor off the streets."

April 6, 2010 (San Diego) -- Spring has officially arrived and mosquito breeding season is here. County officials are working hard to prevent the spread of West Nile virus (WNV).

“Controlling mosquito populations is the key to WNV prevention,” said Jack Miller, Director of the County Department of Environmental Health. “The recent rains will certainly create new mosquito breeding habitats.”

March 26, 2010 (San Diego) -- County staff spent a day teaching Monarch School students about jobs in public service by hosting a career day at the County Administration Center.

“We want to help the Monarch School provide these young people with bright futures by showing them how to prepare for a career in government or any other area they want to pursue,” said Helen Robbins-Meyer, the County Assistant Chief Administrative Officer.

By Miriam Raftery

March 21, 2010 (San Diego) --The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has been awarded $16 million from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to promote physical activity and healthy eating.

March 12, 2010 (Washington D.C.) -- Yesterday the U.S. Food & Drug administration listed 153 food items subject to  recall for hydrolyzed vegetable protein believed contaminated with salmonella.   The list includes boullion, dressing and dressing mixes, flavoring base and seasoning products, frozen foods, gravy mixes, prepared salads, ready-to-eat products,sauce and marinade mixes, snack foods, soups and soup mixes, dips and dip mixes.

March 2, 2010 (Lemon Grove)--Family Health Centers of San Diego (FHCSD) held a grand opening ribbon-cutting celebration last week for the Lemon Grove Family Health Center, which was funded by a $1.3 million federal stimulus grant.

The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) board of directors has unanimously voted to approve a $100,000 grant to Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) to help cover expenses for X-ray and ultrasound tests, as well as diagnostic lab fees and medical supplies, for uninsured East County residents who are treated at an El Cajon clinic by retired physicians and nurses who donate their time.

39% Rate Hike by Anthem-Blue Cross Persuaded CA Senator that Consumers need Choice of a Public Plan
 

Updated February 19, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) has joined with 16 other Senators to urge that Majority Leader Harry Reid pass a public option for health insurance using reconciliation, a parliamentary procedure that allows a simple up-or-down vote with a majority of 51 Senators.