Latest California Healthline Stories
Lawmakers Question Sebelius on Future of Reform Law’s CLASS Act
In response to rumors that HHS is closing the office overseeing the long-term care program created by the health reform law, lawmakers asked HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to clarify the future of the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act. Modern Healthcare, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Group Names Top Performing Medical Practices in Calif.
Last week, the Integrated Healthcare Association released its list of California’s top performing physician organizations for 2010 based on its statewide pay-for-performance measures. The awards were based on four categories: clinical quality, coordinated diabetes care, information technology-enabled systems and patient experience. Of the more than 200 medical groups evaluated, 44 received the highest ratings. The association also named physician organizations that showed the most quality improvement from 2009 to 2010. Healthcare IT News.
GOP Presidential Debate Touches on Health Care
During a debate in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday night, the nine candidates for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination briefly discussed several health care issues. Texas Gov. Rick Perry continued his criticism of former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s statewide health care overhaul. Meanwhile, business owner Herman Cain said he would have succumbed to stage 4 colon and liver cancer in 2009 if the federal health reform law was in effect during his treatment. Meanwhile, Rep. Michele Bachmann said Perry’s former chief of staff has been a lobbyist for Merck, the maker of the HPV vaccine. Los Angeles Times‘ “Politics Now” et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of September 23, 2011
The office of California’s attorney general recently said it will not allow Prime Healthcare Services to purchase Victor Valley Community Hospital. Meanwhile, NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield has received designation to operate the first trauma center in Solano County.
Thousands of Calif. Nurses Strike Over Benefit Cuts
On Thursday, thousands of registered nurses participated in a one-day strike over benefit cuts at 33 not-for-profit hospitals managed by Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health, and the independent Children’s Hospital Oakland. The California Nurses Association — the union that organized the strike — expected nearly 23,000 nurses to participate, but officials could not provide an actual figure. Officials at the affected hospitals said they hired replacement nurses and made other arrangements to limit any possible disruptions to patient care. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, KQED’s “The California Report.”
State, Federal Officials Encourage Physicians To Fight Health Care Fraud
State and federal health officials are urging physicians to take steps to try to prevent medical fraud and identity theft. At a meeting at UC-Riverside, officials warned that medical fraud could disrupt health care services and physician payment. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Three UC-Davis Researchers Nab $8.9M in NIH Grants
On Tuesday, NIH announced that it is awarding three grants totaling $8.9 million over five years to three UC-Davis researchers. The researchers will use the funding to study the health benefits of stem cell ribonucleic acid, the role other viruses play in the spread of HIV and the autoimmune response in patients with scleroderma, an often fatal disease. Sacramento Business Journal.
Groups Weigh In on How Debt Panel Could Affect Health Care Issues
Several health care-related groups have sent letters in an effort to influence the federal debt panel. For example, the American Medical Association asked the group to overhaul the sustainable growth rate formula for Medicare physician payments. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Senators Press CMS on Game Plan for Dual Eligibles’ Care
On Wednesday, lawmakers on the Senate Finance Committee questioned a CMS official about how the federal government plans to improve care coordination and address the rising costs of care for U.S. residents who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare. Melanie Bella, director of the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office, said the office needs more time to develop such plans. Some panel members expressed skepticism about Bella’s request for more time to develop the plans, saying that the office’s efforts are just the latest in a series of limited attempts to address the issue. Modern Healthcare.
Fate of Reform Law’s Long-Term Care Program Remains Unclear
Questions surround the future of the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act. An official said he is stepping down because HHS is closing the office overseeing CLASS, but HHS denied plans to close the office, saying it is just reducing staff. CQ Today et al.