Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Hospitals, Clinics Tap Medical-Legal Partnerships
California leads the nation in the number of medical-legal partnership projects aimed at addressing patient care issues. Under such partnerships, hospitals and community clinics add lawyers to medical teams in an effort to help resolve issues associated with “social determinants of health,” such as housing, poverty and domestic violence. There are more than two dozen medical-legal partnerships in California. California Watch.
Report: Calif.’s Large Insurers Were Profitable in 2010
Despite complaints about high health care costs, California health insurers generated a combined $105 billion in revenue in 2010, and the largest insurers reported profits after paying policyholders’ medical claims, according to the California HealthCare Foundation’s annual Health Care Almanac. Los Angeles Times‘ “Money & Company.”
Poll: Rate of Uninsured U.S. Adults on the Rise Despite Health Reform
A new Gallup poll finds that the percentage of U.S. adults without health insurance coverage has continued to rise in recent years, despite the fact that provisions of the federal health reform law aimed at lowering the rate of uninsured residents have been implemented. Politico.
Secretary Clinton Sets Goals for ‘AIDS-Free Generation’
In a speech at NIH on Tuesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton outlined a new campaign to create an “AIDS-free generation” by taking advantage of the latest scientific knowledge on how to curb the spread of HIV. Clinton emphasized “three key interventions”: preventing mother-to-child transmission, increasing voluntary male circumcision and treating people living with HIV/AIDS with antiretroviral drugs. Clinton pledged $60 million “to rapidly scale up combination prevention” and measure its effects in four countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Clinton also announced the appointment of television talk show host Ellen DeGeneres as special envoy for global AIDS awareness. Reuters et al.
Wal-Mart Refutes Plan To Delve Into Primary Care
Wal-Mart Stores has announced that it incorrectly described its interest for partners in an initiative to reduce U.S. health care costs “by becoming the largest provider of primary health care services in the nation.” Wal-Mart sent letters to health care providers and companies last month asking them to explain their areas of expertise and provide information on how, as potential partners, they would manage patients with complex chronic conditions. John Agwunobi — senior vice president and president of Wal-Mart U.S. health and wellness — said, “We are not building a national, integrated, low-cost primary health care platform.” NPR’s “Shots,” Reuters.
CHA Withdraws Support for Hospital Quality Reporting Program
The California Hospital Association has pulled its support from the California Hospitals and Assessment Reporting Task Force program that provides consumers with data on hospitals’ quality of care. The decision could spur hospitals to withdraw from the program. Payers & Providers.
Study: Health Worker Shortage To Afflict Rural, Underserved Areas
A new study finds that rural and underserved areas of California might be more affected by a shortage of health care workers than other communities, as federal health reform extends coverage to more residents. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules,” Fresno Bee.
Report: Innovation Key to Improving Primary Care
A new California HealthCare Foundation report notes that the U.S. primary care system is not equipped to handle current or future demand for services and that innovation will be necessary to provide more cost-effective care that meets patients’ needs. The report — titled, “Primary Care Everywhere: Connecting the Dots Across the Emerging Landscape” — identifies barriers to innovation, such as poor distribution of primary care doctors and low levels of patient involvement. It also highlights how certain organizations — such as California’s Eisenhower Medical Center — are addressing primary care issues and serving as models for the country. Modern Physician.
Advocacy Group Pushes for More Robust Health Insurance Oversight
Consumer Watchdog is working to put a measure on the November 2012 ballot that would give the state insurance commissioner authority to accept or reject health insurance rates. The measure is similar to legislative efforts that have failed in previous years. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Budget Cuts Prompt Calif. To End Rx Monitoring Database
California is dismantling its prescription drug monitoring system in the wake of $70 million in budget cuts to the state Department of Justice for the current and next fiscal year. The Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System, or CURES, allows physicians and law enforcement officials to identify individuals who might be misusing prescription drugs, such as Vicodin and OxyContin. A recent White House report touted state-based prescription drug monitoring systems as a way to address the growing problem of prescription drug misuse. California Watch.