Latest California Healthline Stories
HIV/AIDS Not-for-Profit Files Lawsuit Against Bristol-Myers
Last week, the not-for-profit AIDS Healthcare Foundation filed a lawsuit against pharmaceutical company Bristol-Myers Squibb alleging that the company overcharged for medication by more than $124,000 from January to June of 2010. The foundation is based in Los Angeles and provides treatment around the world for individuals with HIV and AIDS. BMS spokesperson Sonia Choi said the company is reviewing the complaint. Los Angeles Times‘ “Money & Company.”
Regulators Impose Nearly $5M in Fines on State’s Largest HMOs
The California Department of Managed Health Care levied nearly $5 million in fines against the state’s seven largest HMOs after an 18-month investigation found that the insurers had failed to properly pay numerous medical claims. Los Angeles Times et al.
California Must Preserve Its Safety Net, Op-Ed Argues
California’s safety-net providers will be at the vanguard of the state’s “next big challenge: ensuring that by 2014, health care systems are ready to provide access to high-quality, affordable care to those newly insured,” according to a Sacramento Bee opinion piece by Peter Long — president and CEO of the Blue Shield of California Foundation — and Ian Morrison — board member and vice chair of the California HealthCare Foundation. They write that safety-net providers will be forced to adapt to new demands in coverage expansion, new care delivery models and new performance measures. Sacramento Bee.
Congress Approves Bill To Delay Reduction to Medicare Physician Pay
On Monday, Congress passed legislation to postpone for one month a 23% cut to physicians’ Medicare payments. Lawmakers are seeking to enact a longer-term fix to the physician payment issue, but changing the current formula could cost $300 billion across a decade. Reuters et al.
Legislative Leaders Ask Court To Overturn Cuts to Mental Health Care
Senate leader Darrell Steinberg and Assembly Speaker John Pérez asked the Office of Legislative Counsel to send an amicus letter to an appeals court in an effort to overturn Gov. Schwarzenegger’s line-item veto of student mental health funding. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Oakland Schools Get $7.5M for Health-Related Programs
On Monday, Kaiser Permanente announced a three-year, $7.5 million donation for health-related programs in the Oakland school district. The grant will support school-based health centers, other wellness programs and an initiative aimed at identifying the most at-risk students. Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle.
Report Reviews Progress at California’s Stem Cell Agency
An external advisory panel recently released a report reviewing progress at the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which allocates funds for embryonic stem cell research. The report recommended that CIRM align closer with the biotechnology industry and suspend nonproductive programs. The advisory panel also called for CIRM to scale up its public education efforts. Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times.
Study: Many Patients Face Harm From Hospital Errors
Despite nationwide efforts to improve patient safety in hospitals, nearly 20% of patients continue to be harmed by their care, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers analyzed 2,341 hospital admissions and identified 588 incidents of harm involving 423 patients. Two-thirds of the complications were considered preventable by hospital reviewers. New York Times et al.
California’s Cosmetic Surgery Centers Operate With Limited Oversight
Limited state regulation has allowed unlicensed and unaccredited cosmetic surgery centers to provide services to patients in California. State regulators lack the authority to impose sanctions against unaccredited physician-owned facilities. Los Angeles Times.
Senate Passes Food Safety Bill; Changes to Tax-Reporting Rules Fail
On Tuesday, the Senate approved a bill to grant FDA new authority and to expand government involvement in recalls. However, two amendments that would have removed a business tax-reporting provision in the health reform law did not pass. New York Times, CQ Today.