Latest California Healthline Stories
Congress Plans Monday Vote on Framework To Avoid Federal Default
On Sunday, President Obama and congressional leaders reached an agreement on a fiscal year 2012 budget framework that would raise the federal debt ceiling. Medicare and Medicaid could face cuts under the agreement. Congress is expected to vote on the plan today. New York Times et al.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for July 2011
Greg Wagner, former budget director for the San Francisco mayor’s office, has been named CFO of the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Meanwhile, Benjamin Chu of Kaiser Foundation’s Hospitals and Health Plan has been named chair-elect designate of the American Hospital Association.
State Audit: UC Should Be More Transparent About Its Spending
A state audit says the University of California system needs to clarify differences in how it allocates spending at its campuses. The variations could be associated with more costly medical and health science programs. Sacramento Bee et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of July 29, 2011
The Department of Veterans Affairs recently selected French Camp as the location for a new $280 million veterans’ medical facility. Meanwhile, Scripps Health has received a $45 million donation to help fund the creation of the new Prebys Cardiovascular Institute in La Jolla.
Pharmacists Concerned Over Use of Robotic Drug Machines at Some Clinics
Molina Medical Group has been using robotic prescription drug dispensers at its clinics in Southern California, but pharmacy groups are raising concerns that safety risks can ensue from removing pharmacists from the prescription drug filling process. Los Angeles Times.
Four Calif. Groups Nab Grants for Mobile Health Applications
The Oakland-based Center for Technology and Aging has awarded a total of $477,150 in one-year grants to five organizations that will deploy mobile phone-based applications aimed at helping seniors manage chronic health conditions. The SCAN Foundation provided funding for the awards, which will go to CalOptima of Orange County, Family Services Agency of San Francisco, Front Porch Center for Technology Innovation and Wellbeing in Los Angeles, HealthInsight in Utah and Sharp HealthCare Foundation in San Diego. In conjunction with the grant announcement, CTA also released a position paper on how mobile phone applications can help elderly residents better manage their health care. Healthcare IT News, CMIO.
Baby Boomers Worried About Rising Medical Expenses, Poll Finds
A new poll finds that many baby boomers are concerned about rising health care expenses associated with aging. According to the poll, 43% of baby boomers are “very” or “extremely” worried about their ability to pay their medical costs. AP/Washington Post, AP/Boston Globe.
Kaiser Awards Grants to 36 San Mateo County Programs
Kaiser Permanente has awarded $609,500 in grants to 36 not-for-profit organizations in San Mateo County. The grants, which range from $5,000 to $45,000, went to an adult day health care center, a nutrition education program, a substance misuse prevention program and other community-focused services. San Francisco Business Times.
Prime Healthcare Filing Legal Action Against News Outlet
Prime Healthcare is taking legal action against California Watch, an investigative news outlet that has published a series of reports suggesting that the hospital system has extended patients’ hospital stays and overbilled for certain conditions to receive higher payments. Prime said the reports rely on manipulated data and “unsubstantiated allegations” from the Service Employees International Union. A spokesperson for California Watch said the news organization has not yet been served with the litigation, adding that Prime’s complaints have no merit. Payers & Providers, Becker’s Hospital Review.
States Continuing Work on Health Insurance Exchanges
During a health care symposium sponsored by the Bipartisan Policy Center on Wednesday, officials from various states acknowledged there is more work to be done to develop health insurance exchanges under the federal health reform law. Many states have taken various steps — such as proposing or enacting legislation, and establishing governing boards and advisory groups — to ensure that their exchanges are operational by the 2014 deadline. Federal officials say they expect states to move forward with their efforts as additional guidelines on the exchanges are released in the next few months. Government Health IT, Reuters.