Latest California Healthline Stories
Opinion Pieces Stump for UC-Riverside Medical School
A Palm Springs Desert Sun editorial and an opinion piece by G. Richard Olds — founding dean of the medical school at UC-Riverside — stress the importance of moving forward with plans to open a new medical school at UC-Riverside despite the state’s budget woes. The Desert Sun notes that “a national body decided not to proceed with the medical school’s preliminary accreditation because of concerns that it might not survive the state budget crisis.” The editorial “strongly urges the Liaison Committee on Medical Education to reverse its decision and move forward with accreditation,” adding that the school “would fill a critical need in Southern California — particularly in the Coachella Valley, which has far too few primary care physicians.” Meanwhile, Olds argues, “It is a simple matter of justice in terms of providing much-needed health care to the people of Inland Southern California.” Palm Springs Desert Sun.
Dauner: Calif. Hospital Prices Reflect Low Reimbursements
In a Sacramento Bee opinion piece, C. Duane Dauner — president and CEO of the California Hospital Association — writes that an earlier Bee opinion piece by Micah Weinberg of the New America Foundation is “misguided in its assertion that hospital prices will drop if provider payments are regulated.” Dauner argues that some of the biggest drivers of hospital prices are “the chronic underfunding of the Medicare and Medi-Cal programs,” as well as state seismic safety mandates and the rising costs of caring for seniors and people with chronic conditions. Dauner concludes, “The belief that the health care cost curve can be bent by regulating payments to hospitals and other providers without addressing governmental payment shortfalls is unrealistic.” Sacramento Bee.
San Diego County Kicks Off Rx Drug Discount Program
On Tuesday, San Diego County officially launched the Coast2Coast Rx Discount Prescription Card Program. Under the program, residents could save up to 65% on mediations and 80% on lab and imaging tests. The program also offers discounts on dental, vision and hearing services, as well as medications for animals. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Task Force Highlights Dental Care Disparities in Sonoma County
A study by the Sonoma County Task Force on Oral Health finds that there were 15 dentists for every 109,000 low-income county residents in 2010. The report lists factors that could be contributing to dental care disparities. Santa Rosa Press Democrat, San Francisco Chronicle.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of June 17, 2011
Officials from the National Union of Healthcare Workers recently announced plans to hold a strike at Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System next Tuesday. Meanwhile, Marin General Hospital has received a $1 million donation to support three of its treatment institutes.
Report Sees Rise in Medicaid Managed Care Enrollment
About 71% of Medicaid beneficiaries now are enrolled in some form of Medicaid managed care plan, according to a report by the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission. The report notes that enrollment in comprehensive risk-based plans — the leading form of managed care — increased from 15% of Medicaid beneficiaries in 1995 to 47% in 2009. Modern Healthcare.
Opinion: Industry Must Drive Health Care Transformation
In a Santa Rosa Press Democrat opinion piece, Geraldine Brinton — chair of the Sutter Health board of directors — argues that the health reform law will place an added burden on hospitals. However, she writes, “Opportunities abound in our industry to deliver services differently by driving out inefficiencies and unnecessary variation that waste financial resources and inconvenience our patients.” She adds, “Evidence shows that improving efficiency and reducing costs are not in conflict with a commitment to quality.” Brinton concludes, “Hospitals and doctors have an opportunity — and an urgent responsibility — to transform health care for the better.” Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
L.A. County To Revamp Agreements With Clinics
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a plan to restructure agreements with community clinics. John Shunhoff — deputy director of the Department of Health Services — said the county is restructuring the agreements to comply with the federal health reform law and to create a more cohesive countywide clinic system. Under the new agreements, clinics would be required to share information with other county facilities and to reserve clinic space for patient referrals from county facilities. Los Angeles Independent.
HHS Urges Federal Agencies To Focus on Preventive Health Care
HHS has released the National Prevention Strategy, which urges federal agencies to consider preventive health care when making decisions. HHS also announced $4 million in health reform law funding for community-based health care organizations. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
AB 52 Not Ideal for Premium Reviews, Opinion Piece Says
In a Palm Springs Desert Sun opinion piece, James Lott — executive vice president of the Hospital Association of Southern California — writes that a bill authorizing the state to reject health insurance premium increases “might do more to harm access to medical care for our patients because premium rate-setting by the government will drive some health plans and insurers out of California.” Lott writes, “There is a better solution already in play,” noting that legislation passed last year already requires health plans to submit proposed rate increases for actuarial review. Palm Springs Desert Sun.