Latest California Healthline Stories
House Passes ‘Doc Fix’ Measure; Senate Not Likely To Approve Bill
Yesterday, the House voted 234-193 to approve a payroll tax cut extension measure that includes a two-year “doc fix” to block scheduled cuts to Medicare physician payments. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the bill is dead on arrival in the Senate. New York Times et al.
Editorial: Health Reform Law ‘Better’ Than Current System
The federal health reform law “is not perfect,” but it is “infinitely better than the system we have now, which is, clearly, failing too many Americans, especially those choosing to live here in California,” a Santa Maria Times editorial states. However, the reform law faces at least “at least two potential barriers,” according to the editorial: whether the U.S. Supreme Court will strike down the law, and, if the reform law “survives, … whether doctors in California will be willing to accept Medi-Cal patients.” Santa Maria Times.
FDA Warns 8 Calif. Surgical Centers on Lap-Band Ads
On Tuesday, FDA announced that it sent warning letters to eight surgical centers and the marketing firm 1-800-GET-THIN LLC in California about misleading advertising of Lap-Band, a device manufactured by Allergan to treat obesity. According to FDA, the surgical centers and the marketing firm used billboards and advertising inserts that did not provide the required risk information about using the Lap-Band, such as warnings, precautions and possible side effects. In addition, the agency said the font size used for risk information in the inserts was too small for consumers to read. Reuters.
Study: C-sections Rose 50% in Calif. Over 10-Year Period
A study released Monday by the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative found that the number of caesarean births rose by 50% in California from 1998 to 2008. According to the study, the rate of c-section births increased from 22% to 33% of all births during the 10-year period. The study’s authors linked the increase to early labor hospital admissions, financial incentives for doctors who offer c-sections, and “awareness gaps” among pregnant women, clinicians and policymakers. The authors recommended that physicians, hospitals and insurers establish quality improvement programs to reduce c-sections among low-risk women. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Briefs Show Downward Trend in Health Spending, Jobs
Last week, the Altarum Institute’s Center for Sustainable Health Spending released its December Health Sector Economic Indicators briefs showing that health care industry spending, price inflation and employment growth are trending downward. According to the briefs, total health care spending growth fell from 5.2% in September to 5% in October because of reductions in hospital, physician services and nursing home spending. Meanwhile, health care spending as a share of the total economy — currently at 18.1% — shows signs of leveling off around 18% from its all-time high of 18.2% in June 2011. In addition, the briefs found that health care price inflation in October fell to a 13-year low of 1.9% and health care industry jobs grew by 17,000 in November, just below its 24-month average. Healthcare Finance News.
Mental Health Workers Concerned With California’s Overhaul Plans
Mental health care workers are expressing concern that the state’s plan to eliminate hundreds of staff positions could compromise patient care. The plan is part of a larger mental health care overhaul under way in the state. AP/San Jose Mercury News.
Workers’ Compensation Premiums Rise to $8.3B This Year, Report Finds
The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California has found that through the first nine months of 2011, worker compensation insurers wrote $8.3 billion in premiums, and employers paid about $2.37 per $100 of payroll for policies. Business Insurance et al.
Study: Unemployed, Underemployed U.S. Residents Delaying Care
A new study published by NPR and the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that about half of unemployed and underemployed U.S. residents lack health insurance coverage and about 56% are delaying necessary health care services because of concerns about cost. National Journal.
Poll Finds Support for Governor’s Plans To Hike Taxes, Adjust Pensions
A new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California finds that 60% of likely voters support Gov. Brown’s plan to raise some taxes. In addition, 70% of surveyed adults support the governor’s proposal to increase public workers’ pension contributions. Ventura County Star et al.
House Set To Vote on Payroll Tax Break Bill That Includes ‘Doc Fix’
Today, the House is expected to vote on a payroll tax break extension that includes a “doc fix” to block scheduled cuts to Medicare physician payments. House Speaker John Boehner said that he believes the legislation will secure bipartisan support and pass the House. Washington Post et al.