Latest California Healthline Stories
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of December 10, 2010
Gorgonio Memorial Healthcare District has contracted EPIC Management to oversee its hospital in Banning. Meanwhile, Kaiser Permanente recently submitted a proposal to build a new emergency department and add more parking spaces to its Terra Linda medical center.
Health Insurance Group Draws Attention to Rise in Calif. Hospital Prices
America’s Health Insurance Plans recently released a study finding that hospital prices in California have increased by 159% since 2000. Groups representing hospitals and consumers say the study might be an attempt to blame hospitals for rising premium rates. Sacramento Bee.
Presidential Advisers Call for Universal Health IT Language
A new report from the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology recommends that the federal government help facilitate the adoption of universal standards to allow health care stakeholders to better share electronic health data while maintaining privacy. The council calls on the government to develop a universal language for data exchange. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Modern Healthcare.
Community Clinic Network Lays Off 23 Staff Members
The Effort, a Sacramento-based chain of not-for-profit community health centers, recently announced that it has laid off 23 staff members in part because of an estimated $750,000 revenue shortfall. Although the clinic network has seen an increase in patient visits over the past year, many of its patients are uninsured and have limited ability to pay for medical services. Sacramento Bee.
San Francisco Programs See Success in Diabetes Initiative
Officials with San Francisco Health Plan and Healthy San Francisco say their health programs have achieved success with a new initiative that leverages medical homes to screen for risk factors among patients with diabetes. The initiative is part of Strength in Numbers, a disease management and quality improvement program launched by SFHP and Healthy San Francisco. Payers & Providers.
Editorial: Dave Jones Should Model Himself After Poizner
“Newly elected Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones … would do well to emulate” his predecessor Steve Poizner’s “approach to the office,” a San Jose Mercury News editorial states. According to the editorial, “an area of strength” for Jones lies in taking “advantage of federal health care reform,” but he will “need to resist the temptation to swing so far toward consumer interests that he harms the insurance industry and, as a consequence, limits Californians’ choices.” San Jose Mercury News.
Schwarzenegger’s Budget Plan Shelved by Legislative Leaders
Yesterday, leaders of the Senate and Assembly budget committees held hearings on Gov. Schwarzenegger’s plan to reduce California’s deficit. The committees then adjourned without scheduling any additional meetings on his proposal. Los Angeles Times et al.
Federal Officials Clarify Conditions for Low-Cost Health Insurance Plans
HHS officials are telling insurers that they must inform consumers that “mini-med” plans do not meet new minimum standard requirements under the health reform and can be sold only in certain circumstances. The low-cost plans will be prohibited in 2014. CQ HealthBeat.
Prime Healthcare Adds to System Despite Investigation
Prime Healthcare has added San Diego-based Alvarado Hospital to its health system, despite being under investigation by state authorities regarding billing rates. Assembly member Marty Block and attorneys representing the Service Employees International Union have sent letters to the California Department of Public Health protesting Prime Healthcare’s addition, saying that the state should remove Alvarado Hospital’s operating license until the investigation is complete. California Watch.
House Passes ‘Doc Fix’ Legislation; President Expected To Sign Bill
On Thursday, the House approved legislation already passed by the Senate that would block for one year a 25% cut to physicians’ Medicare pay scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2011. The measure now heads to President Obama, who has said he will sign the bill. Reuters et al.