Latest California Healthline Stories
White House Releases Draft Rules To Ease Burden on Businesses
The Obama administration has unveiled draft regulations aimed at helping businesses reduce costs. As part of the changes, HHS is considering reducing the amount of data that doctors and hospitals must include in medical databases. New York Times, AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Report Gauges Effects of Cutting Funding for Health Reform Law
A new report predicts that removing funds to support implementation of the federal health reform law would hike uninsurance, possibly terminate the Medicare prescription drug program and complicate efforts to extend Medicaid coverage. CQ Today et al.
S.F. City Attorney Sues Insurers for Allegedly Underpaying Hospitals
Yesterday, San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera filed a lawsuit against three large health insurers, claiming that the health plans did not fully reimburse public hospitals for providing emergency services. San Francisco Examiner, Bay City News/San Francisco Appeal.
House Passes Bill To Scale Back Medical Training Funds
On Wednesday, the House passed a bill that would shift funding for graduate medical education programs called for in the federal health reform law. The reform law allocated a direct appropriation of up to $230 million between fiscal years 2011 and 2015 for medical training services, but the legislation would eliminate that mandatory funding and authorize $46 million annually between FY 2012 and 2015. The Senate is not expected to consider the bill, and the White House has pledged to oppose legislation that would “erode the important provisions” of the reform law. The Hill‘s “Floor Action Blog,” CQ Today.
Health Plans Offering Top Dollar to Executives While Hiking Rates
Executives at California health insurance companies have earned large salaries while the health plans increased premiums for policyholders. Insurers say the executives’ wages fall within industry standards. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times.
CMS Outlines Exceptions to ACO Rules for Rural Facilities
On Tuesday, CMS released a fact sheet describing how its proposed accountable care organization rules include various exceptions for rural health care providers. The exceptions would allow certain critical-access hospitals to form their own ACOs and create special incentives to encourage ACO participation among federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics. Modern Healthcare.
San Diego Grand Jury Seeks New Whooping Cough Rules
On Wednesday, the San Diego County Grand Jury released a report on the whooping cough, or pertussis, epidemic. Starting July 1, a new state law requires proof that students entering grades seven through 12 have received a Tdap pertussis booster. The report calls for legislation that would make it more difficult for parents to obtain a waiver from this requirement if it conflicts with their personal beliefs. The report also recommends a campaign aimed at educating health care providers and the public about whooping cough and immunizations, as well as a new law to require school staff and volunteers to receive the booster. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Workplace-Based Medical Clinics Gaining in Popularity
More employers are starting to provide workplace-based primary care clinics to help their workers stay healthy. Such clinics typically offer disease-management services, preventive screenings and health counseling. In 2010, about 15% of employers with 500 or more employees had on-site primary care clinics in 2010, according to consulting firm Mercer. Kaiser Health News/Los Angeles Times.
Sutter Health Selected for Health Data Sharing Program
Sutter Health and nine other health systems have been invited to join a nationwide collaborative that aims to share medical data in an effort to improve outcomes and cut costs. The High Value Healthcare Collaborative was launched in December 2010 and includes institutions such as the Cleveland Clinic, Intermountain Healthcare and the Mayo Clinic. Criteria for selection include strong information technology systems, and robust research and quality improvement programs. Sacramento Business Journal.
Senate Votes Down FY 2012 Budget Proposals From Ryan, Obama
On Wednesday, the Senate rejected fiscal year 2012 budget proposals by both Rep. Paul Ryan and President Obama. The Ryan bill was expected to fail in the Senate, while Democrats said they would oppose Obama’s plan because it has since been updated. New York Times et al.