Latest California Healthline Stories
Obama Administration Reverses Regulation on End-of-Life Counseling
Federal officials will remove a provision in new Medicare rules that provided reimbursement for end-of-life discussions as part of regular physical examinations. The provision originally was part of health reform legislation but was dropped over GOP opposition. New York Times.
Report Finds Gap Between Medicare Taxes, Benefits
The amount U.S. residents pay in Medicare taxes falls short of covering the full value of benefits Medicare beneficiaries receive, according to a recent analysis by the Urban Institute. The report found that a couple whose annual income is $89,000 will have paid $114,000 in Medicare payroll taxes during their working years and can expect to receive $355,000 in medical services upon retiring in 2011. AP/Washington Post.
House Schedules Vote Next Week To Repeal Health Reform Law
On Jan. 12, the House is scheduled to vote on legislation that would repeal the health reform law. Senate Democrats have indicated that they would not support a full repeal of the law and have pointed to provisions they say are helping consumers. CQ Today et al.
Gov. Brown Sworn In, Warns of Painful Budget Cuts to State Programs
Jerry Brown officially took office yesterday as California’s 39th governor. During his inaugural address, Brown said the budget plan he is scheduled to release next week will include major cuts to address the state’s 18-month deficit of nearly $28 billion. Los Angeles Times et al.
Sutter Introduces Mobile App To Access Medical Records
On Monday, Sutter Health launched an application called MyChart for the iPhone, which lets users access their medical information, check certain lab and test results, communicate with physicians and receive reminders. Patients can download the app to the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch device after signing up for Sutter’s My Health Online program. Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Sacramento Bee.
California Opens New System for Health Plan Enrollment
Last month, California opened public access to a new system that allows families to apply online for coverage in public health insurance programs. The online platform, called Health-e-App, offers preliminary eligibility screening for Medi-Cal and lets families apply for coverage in Healthy Families. Enrollment in the Access for Infants and Mothers program is expected to be added early next year. Sacramento Business Journal.
Consumer Advocates Call for More Focus on Patient Safety
Consumer advocates are pushing for California to improve its reporting on rates of hospital-acquired infections after state health officials released new data on such infection rates. Some patient safety groups have called for the state to undertake a campaign to promote surgical checklists. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Jones Proposes Plan To Enforce Medical-Loss Ratio Regulations
After being sworn in yesterday, new Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones proposed emergency regulations that would require California health insurers in the individual market to devote at least 80% of their revenue to medical care. Los Angeles Times et al.
Questions Raised Over State Plans for Prison Health Care
Observers are questioning whether California should move forward on plans to reduce prison overcrowding by building new prison health care facilities and expanding county jails. Although a 2007 state law authorized $7.4 billion in bonds to add 53,000 new prison beds, the state has yet to complete any construction projects authorized by the bill and has started planning for only about 8,400 new beds. San Francisco Chronicle.
Obama Expected To Sign Food Safety Legislation To Expand FDA Powers
On Tuesday, President Obama is expected to sign into law food safety legislation that would increase FDA clout. However, incoming House GOP leaders say the measure, estimated at $1.4 billion over five years, is too expensive. New York Times‘ “The Caucus” et al.