> A bill moving through the California Legislature would allow state regulators to fine hospitals for providing improper patient care. Originally, the fines could be as high as $100,000, but lawmakers have adjusted that to $50,000, which should make the bill easier to pass. Article
> The number of uninsured Americans grew to 15.9 percent (46.6 million) last year, the highest level since 1998. Report
> As part of the Medical Modernization Act, CMS announced today that it would give financial aid to small health clinics in undeserved, rural areas such as Alaska through the Frontier Extended Stay Clinic (FESC) Demonstration. Release
> Kaiser Permanente and the California Nurses Association are pressing forward with negotiations before their four-year contract ends on Thursday night. Report
And Finally...A 79-year-old Norwegian woman was unable to renew her driver's license because, among other things, she couldn't beat her doctor in arm wrestling. Report