Latest California Healthline Stories
Coronary Bypass Surgery Mortality Rates Falling Statewide, Reports Find
The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development has released reports finding that the mortality rate for certain coronary bypass surgeries has fallen from 3.3% in 2004 to 2.24% in 2008. The reports include hospital- and surgeon-specific data. San Diego Union-Tribune, Modesto Bee.
Federal Agencies Working To Address Health Disparities
Government agencies have launched several initiatives aimed at reducing health disparities among minority communities. For example, HHS recently proposed a plan to examine the reasons for health disparities. In addition, CDC is providing grants to local organizations through a program called REACH that addresses health problems occurring more frequently in blacks, Hispanics and other minorities. USA Today.
Experts Say Insurers Unlikely To Emulate Profit Cap Move
Experts say other health insurance companies are not likely follow Blue Shield of California’s decision to cap profits at 2% of revenue and allocate excess funds to policyholders, health care providers and other organizations. Peter Kongstvedt — a managed care consultant — said because the insurer is a not-for-profit organization, it has more flexibility to limit profits than for-profit companies that have to meet earnings goals. According to Uwe Reinhardt — a Princeton University health economist — Blue Shield also posted 3.1% profit margin in 2010, larger than typical margins for not-for-profit insurers. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post, Hartford Courant‘s “Insurance Capital.”
AHRQ Survey Finds Employee Health Care Costs Are On the Rise
A new Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality report finds that workers’ share of employer-sponsored health insurance rose by as much as 121% between 2001 and 2009. The report notes that workers’ costs far exceeded the rate of inflation. National Journal, MedPage Today.
Op-Ed: Change Needed for LGBT Health Care Services
Too often, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals “receive substandard treatment from medical care — or skip care altogether, fearing judgment, ignorant questions, blank stares and irrelevant recommendations,” Sue LaVaccare — co-founder and steering committee member of the Los Angeles County Lesbian and Bisexual Women’s Health Collaborative — writes in a Capitol Weekly opinion piece. LaVaccare continues that “providing expertise specific to LGBT populations must be integrated into mandatory trainings for health workers.” She touts two bills in the Legislature that “would mandate a multi-hour course on gender issues for health providers” and that would “make the Office of Multicultural Health incorporate LGBT patients in their work,” respectively. Capitol Weekly.
Judges Hear Arguments in Largest Case Against Health Reform Law
On Wednesday, an appeals court in Atlanta heard oral arguments in the multistate lawsuit challenging the federal health reform law. Judges keyed in on whether the requirement for individuals to purchase health insurance is constitutional. Washington Post et al.
WellPoint To Purchase CareMore Health Group To Boost Senior Services
Health insurer WellPoint recently announced plans to purchase Cerritos-based CareMore Health Group for about $800 million. CareMore operates Medicare Advantage plans and runs 26 clinics in Arizona, California and Nevada that specialize in senior care. Los Angeles Times et al.
UC-Riverside’s Medical School in Limbo Over Insufficient State Funds
Accreditation for UC-Riverside’s planned medical school is on hold because of a lack of recurring state funding. The Liaison Committee on Medical Education’s decision means the school’s opening could be delayed. Riverside Press-Enterprise, Los Angeles Times.
Columnist: CIRM Should Mull Effects of its Research Effort
Los Angeles Times columnist Michael Hiltzik writes that the search process for a new board chair for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine “has been a missed opportunity” for the board to consider broader issues, such as whether CIRM’s existence has diminished state funding for other research efforts. Hiltzik adds, “There’s no question that stem cell research is important and potentially groundbreaking. But with every budget year, the folly of generously funding research in one research field while everything else withers away grows more obvious.” Los Angeles Times.
Judge: UC Not Bound To Offer Health Benefits to Livermore Lab Retirees
A judge recently ruled that the University of California does not need to provide UC-sponsored health benefits to retirees of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, who filed a legal challenge against UC after their benefits changed. California Watch, Contra Costa Times.