Latest California Healthline Stories
Most Medicare Providers Falling Short of Quality Reporting Requirements
A Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute study finds that fewer than 20% of Medicare providers meet the program’s Physician Quality Reporting System requirements. If the trend continues, many Medicare providers could face penalties. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” PhysBizTech.
Studies Find Maternal Mortality Rising, Ethnic Disparities Continue
Studies show that California’s maternal mortality rates are increasing, possibly because of changes in rate reporting and more women having children later in life. The studies also find that ethnic disparities in maternal mortality rates persist across the state. HealthyCal.
Debt Might Sway Physicians’ Career Decisions, Study Finds
Debt accumulated during medical school might push pediatric residents toward lower-paying jobs rather than positions in a specialty field, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics. According to the study, residents with at least $51,000 of debt were about 50% more likely to plan a career in primary care or hospital medicine — which do not require additional training — than those who owed less or no money. MedPage Today, Reuters.
Calif. Has Most Biomedical Firms in U.S., Report Says
California has 2,321 biomedical companies, more than any other state, according to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers, California Healthcare Institute and BayBio. According to the report, California firms involved in “core” biomedical activities employed 152,806 workers in 2011. That is more than double the number employed in Massachusetts, which has the second-highest number of biomedical companies. San Jose Mercury News.
Experts Say Calif. Faces Difficulty Regaining Oversight of Prisons
Observers say that California officials will experience difficulty trying to end federal oversight of its prisons. Although the state says it has improved the prison health system, observers say that California has not done enough to reduce inmate populations. Sacramento Bee et al.
S.D. County Flu Rates Three Times Higher Than Last Year
San Diego County’s flu rates are nearly three times higher than the same period last year and are approaching levels reported across the U.S., according to state and national tracking reports. However, county health officials said that there is no cause for alarm and that an uptick in flu cases during the winter months is typical. U-T San Diego.
Jones Says New Anthem Rate Increase Is ‘Unreasonable’
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones has criticized Anthem for implementing “unreasonable” rate increases for more than 250,000 small business policyholders. However, an Anthem official called Jones’ methodology and findings flawed. Sacramento Bee et al.
Projections of Primary Care Doctor Shortage Might Be Overstated
A Health Affairs study suggests that predictions about a primary care physician shortage might be overstated. According to the study, such projections might not account for a modern medical center’s ability to care for large numbers of patients. Modern Physician, CQ HealthBeat.
Study Examines Recession’s Effect on Health Care Services
Although minorities experienced greater losses in jobs and insurance coverage during the economic recession, African-Americans, Latinos and whites experienced similar reductions in medical services, according to a research published in JAMA Internal Medicine. The study also found that compared with whites, the minority groups reported fewer annual physician visits and prescription refills between 2008 and 2009, the peak of the economic downturn. Los Angeles Times‘ “Booster Shots.”
Opinion: State Would Benefit From Medi-Cal Expansion
In a Sacramento Bee opinion piece, Peter Long — president and CEO for Blue Shield of California Foundation — and Robert Ross — president and CEO for The California Endowment — argue that “full implementation of the Affordable Care Act [in California] will bring federal dollars that are critical to our state’s recovering economy,”. They cite a recent study that found that California “would receive as much as $3.5 billion in new federal funds in 2014 by expanding Medi-Cal to meet the goals of health reform.” Sacramento Bee.