Latest California Healthline Stories
Obama Administration Shelves Plan for Covert Primary Care Survey
On Tuesday, HHS announced it is indefinitely postponing a plan to conduct a survey using secret shoppers to assess access to care issues. An HHS official said the agency will pursue other ways to build on its efforts to increase health care access. New York Times et al.
CalPERS Gives Out $16.8M in Medicare Retiree Rx Subsidies
On Tuesday, CalPERS announced that it has distributed $16.8 million in Medicare retiree subsidy funding to more than 820 agencies for costs incurred under Medicare’s prescription drug benefit program. The latest round of funds is the fourth subsidy given out to local public agencies since the Medicare prescription drug program was established in 2006. Sacramento Business Journal.
Consultants, IT Companies Ramp Up Work on Exchanges
Health care consulting firms and health information technology companies are increasingly helping states set up insurance exchanges as mandated by the federal health reform law. Consultancy groups are forming new partnerships within the industry, and health IT vendors say there is growing interest in private health insurance exchanges for the individual market. Mike Leavitt — former HHS secretary and Utah governor who heads Leavitt Partners, a health care consulting company — said “the clock is running out” for states to implement exchanges by 2014. Politico, Kaiser Health News.
Riverside, San Bernardino Area Hit by Doctor Shortage
Local officials say Riverside and San Bernardino counties face a serious physician shortage that could become more pronounced as residents gain health insurance coverage under the federal health reform law in 2014. G. Richard Olds, dean of the UC-Riverside’s planned School of Medicine, said the region could face a shortage of 5,000 doctors by 2021. Olds added that accreditation of UC-Riverside’s medical school could help ease the physician shortage. San Bernardino Sun.
Brown, Democrats Reach Budget Deal That Includes ‘Trigger Cuts’
Gov. Brown and Democrats have agreed on a new budget plan that relies on $4 billion in projected revenue. If the extra funds do not materialize, the plan would trigger further cuts to health care programs and other services. Sacramento Bee et al.
Hospital Groups Launch National Ad Campaign Against Payment Cuts
A coalition of U.S. hospital groups has rolled out a national advertising initiative opposing possible cuts to Medicare and Medicaid funding. Such cuts are being discussed as part of ongoing negotiations on how to address the federal budget deficit. CQ HealthBeat et al.
Dartmouth Atlas Unveils New Report on Medicare Spending
Last week, Dartmouth Atlas Project researchers released a report on Medicare per capita spending that attempts to account for regional cost of living differences. The report examines Medicare spending from 2003 through 2008 and uses relative value units to calculate the cost of labor in various areas. The report found that San Mateo County had one of the lowest Medicare spending levels in 2008, at about $6,723 per beneficiary. Miami had the highest Medicare spending level in 2008, at about $15,571 per beneficiary. HealthLeaders Media.
Doctors More Willing To See Medicare Patients Than Privately Insured
A study finds doctors were less willing to treat privately insured patients than Medicare beneficiaries between 2005 and 2008. Experts say the study raises concerns about access to care under the health reform law’s expected coverage expansion. Bloomberg, NPR’s “Shots.”
California To Receive $3.3M From Settlement With GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline and its subsidiary have agreed to pay $40.8 million to 37 states and the District of Columbia to settle claims related to substandard drug manufacturing. California is slated to receive $3.3 million from the settlement. Sacramento Business Journal et al.
Lawmakers Amend Bill To Soften Requirements on Noting EHR Changes
The amended version of SB 850 removes a provision requiring patients to be able to see any edits to information in their electronic health records. However, the amended bill still requires health care providers to make note of any changes made to EHRs. California Watch.