Latest California Healthline Stories
AHRQ Report Finds Growing Disparities in Diabetes Care
Disparities in diabetes care have increased over the last several years, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s latest National Healthcare Disparities Report. The report found that 23% of low-income diabetic adults ages 40 and older received certain recommended annual screenings for blood sugar levels, retinopathy and circulation issues in 2007, down from 39% in 2002. HealthLeaders Media.
House GOP Unveils New Stopgap Funding Bill; Long-Term Solution Lags
GOP lawmakers have released a new stopgap measure to fund the federal government for one more week. The current funding bill expires Friday. Disagreement over funds for health care programs is contributing to delays on a longer-term measure. Washington Post‘s “2chambers” et al.
Many Calif. Employers Opting for HMOs With Slim Provider Networks
Since 2008, more than 10,000 California employers and public agencies have started offering so-called “narrow network” HMOs. Such plans offer fewer choices in their health care provider networks but can help reduce employers’ spending on insurance premiums. Los Angeles Times.
GOP Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Seeks To Adjust Medicaid, Medicare
On Tuesday, Republicans are expected to release their fiscal year 2012 federal budget plan, which aims to cut $4 trillion from the deficit in part by providing Medicare beneficiaries with vouchers and turning Medicaid into a block grant program. Los Angeles Times, National Journal.
Poll: Support for Health Reform Holds Steady Among Californians
A new Field Poll finds that 52% of Californians support the federal health reform law and 37% oppose it. The results are nearly identical to a Field Poll conducted in April 2010, shortly after the law’s enactment. San Francisco Chronicle, HealthyCal.
Obama Administration Files Formal Appeal in Case Against Reform Law
On Friday, the Department of Justice filed a formal appellants brief against a decision by U.S. District Court Judge Roger Vinson, who ruled that the federal health reform law’s individual mandate is unconstitutional and the entire law is invalid. AP/Boston Globe, Reuters.
Adult Film Industry Clinic Investigating Possible Breach
The Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation Clinic, now known as AIM Medical Associates, is investigating a possible breach of its medical record database following the posting of private patient information on a website. Jeffrey Douglas, an attorney for AIM, said clinic officials have ramped up security measures to guard the personal information of performers. Douglas did not specify whether the clinic has referred the breach allegations to law enforcement. Los Angeles Times.
Early Retiree Insurance Plan To Stop Taking Applications
The Early Retiree Reinsurance Program created by the federal health reform law will no longer accept applications after April 30 because it is on track to exhaust its $5 billion budget by September 2012, according to a CMS memo to congressional staff. The program was intended to remain in operation until 2014, when the health insurance exchanges take effect. The agency said the news was a sign of the “popularity and success” of the program. However, critics of the reform law likely will argue that the program was underfunded. Politico.
Rep. Herger Criticizes AARP’s Support for Health Reform
During the debate over federal health reform legislation, “the ardent support of the senior advocacy organization AARP, which was key to its passage, raised a massive red flag with many people,” Rep. Wally Herger writes in a Redding Record Searchlight opinion piece. Herger writes that a new report released by GOP members of Congress found “AARP’s finances stand to grow dramatically under the new health care reform law,” which “raises serious concerns about whether AARP is motivated more by its own bottom line than concerns for seniors’ well-being.” Redding Record Searchlight.
Foundation Awards $190K in Breast Cancer Support Funds
The Kentfield-based To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation is doling out $190,000 in grants to 17 agencies. Since 1996, the foundation has distributed more than $3.3 million in grants to provide assistance to individuals dealing with breast cancer. Marin Independent Journal.