Latest California Healthline Stories
Experts, Legislators Mull Alternative Ideas on Individual Mandate
As various lawsuits challenging the health reform law’s individual mandate move through U.S. courts, several lawmakers and health care experts are working on ideas to replace the provision. One proposal would let people opt out of the mandate. CQ HealthBeat, NPR.
Health Advocates See Risks in Gov. Brown’s Proposed Medi-Cal Cuts
Gov. Brown’s budget plan would limit Medi-Cal beneficiaries to 10 physician visits annually and raise copayments. Health advocates are worried that such changes could hinder access to care and drive up costs for health care providers. California Watch, Redlands Daily Facts.
Report: State’s Biomedical Industry Lost Jobs in 2009
California’s biomedical industry lost 6,000 jobs in 2009, according to a new report by the California Healthcare Institute and PricewaterhouseCoopers. However, 68% of the 200 biomedical CEOs surveyed for the report said they plan to expand their work force in California over the next two years. San Diego Union-Tribune, KPBS’ “KPBS News.”
Analyst Questions Savings From Proposed Compensation Cuts
A report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office says unrealistic assumptions could prevent Gov. Brown’s budget plan from achieving up to half of its expected spending reductions from proposed changes to state workers’ wages and health benefits. Sacramento Bee.
Health IT Leader To Leave Post, Return to Academia
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology David Blumenthal has announced that he is leaving his post this spring to return to a faculty position at Harvard University. Blumenthal was named to the position in March 2009 and oversaw development of the meaningful use program, in which health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of electronic health records can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments under the 2009 economic stimulus package. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post.
Drug Shortages Creating Strain for Health Providers
A record-breaking shortage of generic drugs for cancer and other serious ailments has hospitals and physicians scrambling to find alternative treatments. FDA reported 178 drug shortages in 2010, up from 157 in 2009 and 55 five years ago. Anesthesiology and oncology have been among the hardest hit by drug shortages. Wall Street Journal, USA Today.
Critics Lambaste Plan To Cut Funds From Disabled Services
At an Assembly hearing on Thursday, a number of lawmakers and advocates for individuals with developmental disabilities criticized Gov. Brown’s budget proposal to remove up to $750 million from developmental services. The governor’s proposal details $216.5 in cuts to the Department of Developmental Services and calls for the department to put forward other ideas for cost reductions. Sacramento Bee.
Virginia Seeks Hastened Supreme Court Review of Health Reform Case
Virginia’s attorney general is seeking an expedited review by the Supreme Court of a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the health reform law. Experts say such reviews are rarely granted to cases that have not been fully litigated in lower courts. Washington Post et al.
College Dean Warns Nursing Shortage Likely To Worsen
In California, the combination of “a booming population, coupled with higher education budget cuts, has left the state with a questionable nursing future,” Randy Caine — dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Hawai’i Pacific University — writes in a San Francisco Chronicle opinion piece. Caine writes that California’s “nursing shortage will climb to 80,000 by 2015,” adding that “it is impossible to discuss the need for more nurses without looking to how this will change the future of health care.” San Francisco Chronicle.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of February 4, 2011
Six technology firms pledged to contribute up to $150 million each over the next 10 years to develop a new $2 billion hospital at Stanford Medical Center. Meanwhile, Sierra Kings District Hospital is in discussions with Adventist Health about a possible lease-purchase agreement.