Latest California Healthline Stories
Senator Unsatisfied With Rollout of California’s Medical Parole Law
Sen. Mark Leno is protesting the way officials have implemented a law designed to save millions of dollars by paroling medically incapacitated inmates. Leno says officials are adhering to a 120-day review process unnecessarily. San Francisco Chronicle.
CEO of Kaiser Permanente Discusses Reform Law, ACOs
In an interview with Kaiser Health News, George Halvorson — chair and CEO of Kaiser Permanente — discussed his expectations about the federal health reform law and the formation of accountable care organizations. Halvorson said that “the version of ACOs that was written into the law for Medicare is complex and the law wasn’t as well drafted as it could have been.” However, Halvorson added, “When doctors join an ACO, if they do the ACO right, they will figure out what’s the very best care for patients, what are the tests, what are the follow-ups, what are the treatments. If they function well as an ACO team, they’ll have that information available and the patients will get the right care.” Kaiser Health News.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of July 22, 2011
Adventist Health has combined its five North Coast hospitals into a regional network in an effort to foster collaboration. Meanwhile, a federal bankruptcy court has approved a deal allowing the Prime Healthcare Services Foundation to buy Victor Valley Community Hospital.
Editorial: Congress Must Pass Stopgap Deal on Debt Limit
If Congress fails to reach an agreement on raising the debt ceiling, “the economic recovery could be wrecked, benefit checks could be delayed and the fallout on global commerce could be calamitous,” a Fresno Bee editorial states. According to the editorial, the window for action is “too short to be wasting time” on the GOP-sponsored “cut, cap and balance” plan, which would “force services and programs to be cut in ways that would threaten this country’s future.” The editorial continues that “a stopgap deal to raise the debt limit” might be the “best outcome possible,” adding that the situation “goes to show how little we can now expect from Washington.” Fresno Bee.
Weak Economy Influencing Medical Spending Decisions
The sustained weakness of the U.S. economy is continuing to affect the health care decisions of consumers, as evidenced by the latest earnings reports from health insurers, drugmakers and medical device manufacturers. Insurers reported increased earnings because patients are making fewer physician office visits. Meanwhile, drugmakers and medical device makers are experiencing decreasing sales and revenue as consumers scale back their medical expenses. Wall Street Journal.
Political Aides Denying Reports of Imminent Deal on Federal Budget
Yesterday, aides close to President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner rebuffed media reports that the leaders are close to a deal on a budget and debt-limit package. Meanwhile, the Senate has voted to table the GOP’s “cut, cap and balance” bill. New York Times et al.
Provision of Reform Law Could Affect Access to Coverage for Families
Under the health reform law, workers with family health plans are ineligible for subsidies to purchase coverage through state health insurance exchanges if their employer’s individual health plan is affordable, regardless of the cost of family coverage. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Fremont OKs Labor Deal To Curb Police Medical Benefits
This week, the Fremont City Council approved a two-year labor agreement with city police that will reduce salaries for current officers and cut pension benefits and retiree medical benefits for future officers. Under the agreement, retiree medical benefits for new hires will be limited to $500 monthly. The labor agreement is expected to reduce city spending by nearly $1.6 million this year. Oakland Tribune.
Calif. Scientists Genotyping DNA for Medical Research
A collaborative project between Kaiser Permanente, UC-San Francisco and research equipment developer Affymetrix has genotyped the DNA of 100,000 people in 15 months. The $24.8 million study, which is funded by NIH, aims to examine how genetic factors combine with environmental factors to affect an individual’s risk of disease and treatment response. About 180,000 Kaiser members have signed up for the project so far, and researchers hope to increase that number to 500,000. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Biotech SF.”
Bill on Administration of Children’s Seizure Drug Continues To Be Divisive
Health care groups and advocates continue to be at odds over a bill to let school employees administer the anti-seizure drug Diastat. Supporters argue that the drug is safe, while opponents say licensed medical personnel should administer the drug. Capitol Weekly.