Latest California Healthline Stories
White House, AMA Call for Action on Scheduled Cuts to Medicare Pay
The Obama administration and the American Medical Association are urging lawmakers to block a planned 23% cut in physicians’ Medicare reimbursement, which is scheduled for the end of November. Observers say Congress might pass a short-term fix. CQ HealthBeat et al.
New Website Provides Health Data for Sacramento Area
A new website allows Sacramento-area residents to view various health-related data, including mortality rates, life expectancy, causes of emergency department visits and locations of health care providers. The site was created through a collaboration between Catholic Healthcare West, Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health and UC-Davis Health System. Sacramento Business Journal.
Improve Upon Health Reform Law, Editorial Recommends
A Sacramento Bee editorial argues that if members of Congress want to “improve the health care law, there are areas where Republicans and Democrats can work together.” The Bee states, “Start with medical errors and our broken medical malpractice system,” adding that a tax-reporting provision for small businesses also should be amended. “This Congress should give reform a chance to work,” the editorial concludes. Sacramento Bee.
Supreme Court Refuses To Hear Appeal Over Health Reform Law
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge by a California legal group on the constitutionality of the federal health reform law. The decision did not come as a surprise because the case has not been fully litigated in the lower courts. Wall Street Journal et al.
Survey Finds Strong Ties Between Hospitals and Employed Physicians
About 45% of hospitals say they have an “outstanding” or “very good” relationship with employed physicians, according to a ModernHealthcare/Press Ganey survey. The survey results also indicate that the number of hospital-employed physicians is likely to rise. Modern Physician.
State-Level GOP Victories Could Affect Rollout of Health Reform
Many Republicans gained control of governor’s offices and state legislatures during last week’s elections. As a result, GOP lawmakers could have significant power to influence how their states implement the federal health reform law. Los Angeles Times et al.
Medical Groups Concerned Over S.F. Health Master Plan
Several health care providers in San Francisco — including Catholic Healthcare West, Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health — are expressing opposition to legislation by Supervisor David Campos that would establish a citywide health services master plan. The proposal would increase oversight of health care facilities, as well as of construction and expansion plans. Last week, the Land Use Committee of the Board of Supervisors delayed further action on the bill until later this month. San Francisco Business Times.
Judge Issues Temporary Stay To Extend Subsidy for Child Care Program
A Superior Court judge ordered the state to extend subsidized child care services at least until Nov. 23. Meanwhile, the Assembly and numerous county First 5 commissions have pledged $40 million to sustain the child care subsidy through January. San Jose Mercury News et al.
Ruling on Nurse Anesthetists Dividing Medical Community
Last month, a California Superior Court judge ruled that advance practice nurses can administer anesthesia without supervision from a physician. The decision has touched off debate over whether such action must be monitored by anesthesiologists or other physicians. Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger sought an exemption from a federal rule requiring the supervision, saying that letting the nurses work without supervision would lower costs and boost access to care. Ventura County Star.
Health Officials Urge Vaccines for Whooping Cough Epidemic
Health care officials are warning that the state’s whooping cough, or pertussis, epidemic has yet to peak in several areas around California and are calling for individuals to get vaccines or booster shots. Officials are concerned that uninsured and underinsured individuals could experience problems finding a vaccine clinic because the recently enacted state budget package removed $18 million from the Infectious Disease Branch’s immunization program. Los Angeles Daily News.