Latest California Healthline Stories
Sen. Feinstein Aims To Exempt Hospital From Reform Law Provision
Sen. Dianne Feinstein said she would push for a waiver to exempt Loma Linda University Medical Center in Murrieta from a provision in the federal health reform law that bars new physician-owned hospitals from participating in Medicare. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Investigation: State Falls Short in Tracking Hospital Seismic Safety
Although several California hospitals face a high risk of building collapse during an earthquake, the state does not require hospitals to notify their staff or the public about the risk of such collapses, according to a new investigation. California Watch.
HHS To Cut Premiums in State High-Risk Pools To Increase Enrollment
HHS aims to slash premium costs by about 20% next year in insurance pools for individuals with pre-existing conditions. Fewer individuals than expected have enrolled in the pools, which were created under the health reform law. Kaiser Health News, CQ HealthBeat.
HHS: Medicare Enrollees To See Savings From Overhaul
The federal health reform law could help beneficiaries in traditional Medicare plans save an average of $3,500 over the next 10 years, according to a report released last week by HHS. According to the report, such savings could be as high as $12,300 over 10 years for elderly U.S. residents and people with disabilities who require high-cost prescription medications. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
GOP Reiterates Plans To Combat Provisions of Health Reform Law
On Sunday, several Republican leaders restated their proposal to remove funding from provisions within the federal health reform law. GOP members said a full repeal of the law is unlikely, given Democratic control of the White House and Senate. The Hill‘s “Blog Briefing Room” et al.
Winning Medicare Suppliers Announced for Inland Area
CMS officials have released a list of the nearly 70 companies selected to supply medical equipment for Medicare beneficiaries in Riverside and San Bernardino counties under a new competitive bidding program. Officials predict that the program will cut costs by more than 30% when it goes into effect on Jan. 1. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
Federal, State Officials Plan Studies on Whooping Cough
CDC officials are looking for volunteers in San Diego County to participate in a study on the effectiveness of a new blood test designed to detect cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis. In addition, CDC is working with the California Department of Public Health to examine whether the pertussis vaccine administered to infants and young children after 1997 loses its potency sooner than expected. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Adult Diabetes, Obesity Up in L.A. County, Report Finds
The age-adjusted adult diabetes rate in Los Angeles County has increased from 6.6% in 1997 to 9.1% in 2007, according to a report released Thursday by the county’s Department of Public Health and the American Diabetes Association of Los Angeles. The report also finds that of the 650,000 Los Angeles County residents with diabetes in 2007, about 90% had Type 2, which primarily is caused by obesity. Los Angeles Times.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of November 5, 2010
Registered nurses at Riverside Community Hospital are threatening to strike unless contract negotiations move forward. Meanwhile, the Public Employment Relations Board recently certified a change in union representation at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.
Kids’ Health Measure Falls Short in Santa Clara County
A measure on the Santa Clara County ballot that would have imposed a $29 parcel tax to fully fund the Healthy Kids program received a majority voter approval rating but fell short of the two-thirds vote necessary to pass. Proponents of Measure A, the Children’s Health Protection Act, said they will work to better educate voters to ensure passage of the measure in the next election. San Jose Mercury News.