Latest California Healthline Stories
Flu Vaccine Rates Associated With Physicians’ Medicaid Pay
Influenza vaccination rates among children ages six months to 23 months in low-income families would increase if Medicaid reimbursements rates were higher, according to a study published in the journal Pediatrics. The researchers calculated that every additional dollar paid by Medicaid for administering flu vaccines would increase the vaccination rate among children by between 0.6% and 0.9%. HealthDay/USA Today.
Fresno County Reverses Cuts to Employee Health Benefits
This week, Fresno County supervisors voted 3-2 to continue current funding levels for county workers’ health insurance costs, reversing their previous decision to cut $2,600 from annual county contributions to each worker’s health coverage. To fund the restored contribution level, supervisors said they would consider seeking state funding, imposing layoffs and cutting spending from county departments. Fresno Bee.
Scripps Health Adjusts Management Structure To Streamline Processes
Scripps Health has changed its management model in an effort to boost performance, reduce costs and retain jobs. The initiative is spurred by expected reimbursement changes brought about by the health care reform law. Modern Healthcare, HealthLeaders Media.
State First To Issue Data on Strokes After Heart Operation
In its recent report on coronary artery bypass graft surgeries, the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development included data on stroke rates in patients following the procedure. California is the first state to report such information. Joe Parker — director of health care outcomes at OSHPD — said the data were included in the report to help hospitals develop practices to cut down on the rate of strokes after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. HealthLeaders Media.
Medicaid Programs in 24 States To Receive Less Funding Than Expected
Twenty-four states will receive less Medicaid money than anticipated for the first six months of 2011, a new report finds. California’s budget did not assume that the state would receive an extension of the federal stimulus package’s Medicaid assistance. HealthLeaders Media.
California Hospital Group To Pursue Extension of Seismic Safety Deadline
After the next governor takes office, the California Hospital Association might push for new legislation that would extend the 2013 deadline for hospitals to comply with state seismic safety standards. Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill last month. Payers & Providers.
Confusion Persists Over Provisions of Federal Health Reform Law
Some of the confusion about the health reform law could stem from misinformation circulated by its opponents. In addition, federal officials have focused more on implementing the law than on educating the public about it. NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
Editorial: Heed Other States’ Examples of Health Reforms
California’s “leaders — and state bureaucrats — like to be seen as national trendsetters,” but “this trendsetting impulse” should be “tempered by pragmatism,” a San Diego Union-Tribune editorial states. The Union-Tribune writes that state leaders “should take close looks at” Massachusetts and New York, “which have enacted laws with parallels to the federal” health care overhaul. Health care costs have increased in Massachusetts from mandating insurance coverage and in both states from preventing insurers from denying coverage “for any reason.” According to the editorial, California’s leaders must “figure out how to avoid the health care headaches seen” in these states, the editorial concludes. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Study: Hospital Compare Site Might Not Provide Best Data
Hospital quality data compiled by CMS might not help patients make better decisions about where to receive surgery, according to a recent study published in the Archives of Surgery. Study authors analyzed data from CMS’ Hospital Compare website and found that patients had fewer complications when they received high-risk surgery at facilities with low rates of compliance with safety measures. Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times.
Report: Credit Quality Stays Strong for State’s Not-for-Profit Hospitals
A new Fitch Ratings report finds that California’s not-for-profit hospitals have maintained strong credit quality despite pressure from the recession, state seismic safety requirements and low Medicaid reimbursement rates. Becker’s Hospital Review, Fitch Ratings release.