Latest California Healthline Stories
L.A. County Supervisors Delay Changes to Retiree Health Benefits, Pensions
Los Angeles County supervisors recently learned that the county faces $26 billion in unfunded liabilities for retiree health care and pensions. Supervisors postponed changes to the retirement system after labor unions threatened legal action. San Bernardino County Sun et al.
UnitedHealthcare Tries Out New Program To Pay for Cancer Treatments
Health insurer UnitedHealthcare is expected to reveal details of a pilot program to test a new bundled payment model for cancer treatment. UHC will make a one-time payment for a patient’s complete course of treatment for common cancers. New York Times, Kaiser Health News.
Shriver Stresses Need To Focus Funding, Research on Alzheimer’s Disease
California first lady Maria Shriver and the Alzheimer’s Association have released a new report on how Alzheimer’s disease affects women. Shriver is encouraging the public and the government to support research and policies focused on Alzheimer’s disease. ABC News et al.
Hospital Provides Funding for Mendocino Nursing Program
Sutter Lakeside Hospital in Lakeport has donated $20,000 to provide financial support for a full-time faculty member at Mendocino College’s nursing program. College officials say the donation will help Mendocino’s nursing program continue enrolling new students each year. Previously, the college was considering a plan to reduce the nursing program’s admissions to one class every two years. Lake County News.
More Kaiser Employees Set To Vote on Union Representation
About 2,000 optical professionals, psychologists, social workers and other Kaiser Permanente employees will start voting Monday on their union representation. Workers can vote to keep the incumbent Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, opt for the National Union of Healthcare Workers or choose no representation. Voting ends on Nov. 8. Sacramento Business Journal.
Individuals Looking Up Health Data Through Mobile Devices
Seventeen percent of all cell phone owners have used their devices to search for health or medical information online, and 9% have software applications designed to track or manage their health, according to a new survey conducted by the Pew Internet Project and the California HealthCare Foundation. Among individuals ages 18 to 29, 29% have used their phone to look up health or medical information. Cleveland Plain Dealer et al.
California Nabs Grant To Help Consumers Navigate Coverage
HHS has awarded $30 million in funding nationwide to help educate consumers about health insurance. California will use its $3.4 million grant to develop a website and run a media campaign to help individuals with coverage questions. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Health Care Becomes Issue in California Congressional Race
In California’s 3rd congressional district race, Ami Bera — a physician and former chief medical officer for Sacramento County — is challenging Rep. Dan Lungren, who has said he would support scaling back the health reform law if the GOP gains the majority in Congress. The conservative group American Crossroads has started running an advertisement against Bera saying that Bera believes the health reform law did not go far enough. New York Times et al.
Justice Department Sues BCBS of Michigan Over Improper Hospital Deals
The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit alleging that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan set up agreements with hospitals that drove up health care costs and premiums. BCBS says the agreements relate to negotiations for lower prices. Wall Street Journal et al.
New Study Gauges Effects of Obesity on Health Care Costs
Obesity accounts for almost 17% of total medical costs in the U.S., or roughly $168 billion, according to new research released by the National Bureau of Economic Research. The study found that obesity adds more than $2,800 in costs to an individual’s annual health care bills. AP/Ventura County Star.