Latest California Healthline Stories
New Panel Formed To Study Physician Payment Reform
The Society of General Internal Medicine has formed a panel to investigate physician payments and the effect of financial incentives on patient care. Next year, the panel will make recommendations on how to reform physician payments and assess payment models, such as accountable care organizations, medical homes and value-based purchasing. The panel is funded in part by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the California Healthcare Foundation and the Sergei Zlinkoff Fund for Medical Education and Research. Modern Healthcare.
Advocates Explore Options To Save KMC Residency Program
Advocates are warning that the planned closure of Kern Medical Center’s family medicine residency program could exacerbate the shortage of primary care physicians in the area. Options for maintaining the residency program include creating a consortium to help cover the cost of the program; working with or applying to become a federally qualified health center, which receives higher reimbursement rates from the federal government; and moving the program to another hospital in the area. Bakersfield Californian.
Obese Children More Likely To Develop Asthma, Study Finds
A recent Kaiser Permanente study finds that children in Southern California were 18% more likely to develop asthma if they were overweight or obese. For the study — which was published in the medical journal Obesity — researchers examined the electronic health records of 681,000 children covered by Kaiser between the ages of 6 and 19. Payers & Providers.
Most Medical Services Are More Costly in U.S. Than in Other Countries
A report by the International Federation of Health Plans finds that U.S. residents pay more than residents of other countries for most medical services. According to the report, a routine physician appointment costs about $89 in the U.S. and about $11 in Spain. Washington Post et al.
Lawmaker Questions $111B Boost in Subsidies for Insurance Exchanges
Last week, Rep. Dave Camp sent a letter asking the Obama administration to explain why its fiscal year 2013 budget plan includes $111 billion more than last year for subsidies to help people purchase coverage through state health insurance exchanges. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” CQ HealthBeat.
Health Reform in California Inevitable, Health Leaders Say
Health industry officials say that health care reform will happen in California regardless of whether the federal overhaul is upheld. They note that higher costs and lower reimbursements necessitate a statewide overhaul. Sacramento Business Journal.
Blue Shield Forms ACO With Newport Beach Health Groups
Last week, Blue Shield of California announced that it will partner with Newport Beach-area health groups Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian and Greater Newport Physicians to establish an accountable care organization. Starting July 1, the new ACO will provide bundled payments to Hoag and Greater Newport in an effort to reduce the cost of health premiums for 11,000 Blue Shield enrollees. The ACO will operate for at least three years. Payers & Providers.
Editorial: Budget Situation Requires ‘Tough Choices’
A Contra Costa Times editorial argues, “Despite all the daunting budget challenges facing the state, too many members of the Legislature fail to grasp the seriousness of the situation and are unwilling to make the tough choices required to put the state’s fiscal house in order.” It adds, “The Legislature and governor need to tighten spending, reform pensions, eliminate unproductive tax loopholes and ease the regulatory burden on California businesses.” Contra Costa Times.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for February 2012
David Perrott — former vice president and chief medical officer at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital — has been named the new senior vice president and chief medical officer of the California Hospital Association. Darwin Remboldt — president of Simi Valley Hospital — recently announced his resignation.
Former S.D. Pharmacy Owners To Pay $1.2M
On Thursday, the U.S. attorney’s office in San Diego announced that the previous owners of three area pharmacies have agreed to pay more than $1.2 million for failing to account for tens of thousands of addictive prescription pain medications. Under the settlement, the former owners also will sell their interests in the Galloway, Park Boulevard and White Cross pharmacies. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.