Latest California Healthline Stories
Lawmakers Close to Deal on Payroll Tax Cut, Medicare ‘Doc Fix’
A conference committee has reached a tentative deal to extend the payroll tax cut, continue unemployment benefits and delay scheduled cuts to Medicare physician reimbursement rates. The final agreement could be announced today and approved by Friday. New York Times et al.
Federal Gov’t Recovered $4.1B in Health Care Fraud Judgments in 2011
This morning, federal officials announced that they recovered a record-high $4.1 billion in health care fraud judgments last year. Officials attributed the increased recovery rate to new tools and methods used for detecting fraudulent Medicare claims. AP/Washington Post.
Sacramento County Tackles Ethnic, Age Health Disparities
The Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services has contracted with eight county agencies to participate in a 30-month initiative to determine mental health services that specific ethnic or age groups need and what obstacles prevent them from obtaining those services. The initiative — estimated to cost about $1.6 million annually — will be funded through the 2004 Mental Health Services Act. Sacramento Bee.
Patient Satisfaction Linked to Higher Costs, Mortality
A UC-Davis study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine on Monday finds that the most-satisfied patients are more likely to be hospitalized, have higher health care costs and are more likely to die than less-satisfied patients. The study is believed to be the first to warn that focusing on patient satisfaction could have unexpected adverse effects. Sacramento Bee.
Infant Withdrawal Syndrome Up 200% Over Last Decade
The number of infants in the greater Sacramento region born with neonatal withdrawal syndrome doubled between 2000 and 2010, according to a recent Sacramento Bee analysis of data from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. Medical experts say the jump likely is tied to an increase in mothers misusing prescription pain medications. Sacramento Bee.
Survey: Patients, Physicians Not Discussing End-of-Life Care
A California HealthCare Foundation survey finds that about 80% of residents would want to talk to their physicians about end-of-life care if they became seriously ill. However, only 7% of residents have done so. Contra Costa Times, San Francisco Chronicle.
Enrollment in Riverside Co.’s Health Plan for the Uninsured Nears 3,000
About 2,700 low-income Riverside County residents who do not qualify for Medi-Cal have been enrolled in a new countywide health plan that emphasizes timely primary and preventive care. The program directs residents seeking care to public health clinics. HealthyCal.
Editorial: Blue Shield Right To Seek Lower Costs From UCLA
A Los Angeles Times editorial supports Blue Shield of California’s goal of cost containment that led the insurer to suspend its relationship with UCLA medical centers “in a dispute over the cost of treating patients there.” According to the editorial, Blue Shield said the rates for services at certain UCLA hospitals are nearly twice as high as they were five years ago. The editorial notes, “Blue Shield is right about one thing: The health care industry is on an unsustainable path, and every segment must start focusing on cost control.” Los Angeles Times.
Sebelius Touts Medical School Loan Repayment Program
At the Eisner Pediatric and Family Medical Center in Los Angeles on Monday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the availability of more than $9 million in funding to help medical students repay school loans. The loan repayment program provides up to $120,000 to students who agree to spending three years as primary care doctors in underserved areas. Los Angeles Times.
Steinberg Seeks Review of Sacramento County Dental Plan for Children
Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg is calling for a state review of Sacramento County’s dental program for children enrolled in Medi-Cal. Steinberg says the program’s prevention and treatment services are “woefully inadequate.” Sacramento Bee.