Latest California Healthline Stories
Boxer Discusses Abortion Rights in Campaign for Senate
On Thursday, Sen. Barbara Boxer said that the abortion stance of her Republican opponent in the race for a U.S. Senate seat, Carly Fiorina, poses “a direct threat” to women’s rights, adding that Fiorina would support overturning Roe v. Wade. Meanwhile, Fiorina said that Boxer’s statements take Fiorina’s position out of context and that Boxer is attempting to call voters’ attention away from issues such as unemployment and federal spending. Los Angeles Times.
New Union Challenges SEIU’s Victory in Battle Over Kaiser Employees
The National Union of Healthcare Workers has filed documents arguing that Kaiser Permanente used unfair labor practices to influence the union election won last week by Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West. San Francisco Business Times.
Judge Allows Sections of Multistate Health Reform Lawsuit To Advance
On Thursday, a U.S. district court judge ruled that two parts of a lawsuit against the federal health reform law can proceed. The suit argues that the law’s individual mandate is unconstitutional and that states will be overwhelmed by a planned Medicaid expansion. New York Times et al.
Hospice Care Reduces End-of-Life Costs, UCLA Study Finds
A marked increase in the use of hospice care could help lower end-of-life costs, according to a new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. For the study, UCLA researchers reviewed cases of terminally ill prostate cancer patients and found that those who were enrolled in hospice care were 20% less likely to receive high-intensity treatment. Hospice patients also received fewer imaging tests, which are costly and have been shown to provide no significant benefits for dying prostate cancer patients. Reuters.
Four Health Care Groups Will Merge Under Sutter Medical
Solano Regional Medical Group, Sutter Medical Group, Sutter Neuroscience Medical Group and Sutter West Medical Group will merge to form a single practice of nearly 600 physicians and allied health workers under the Sutter Medical Foundation. The merger — expected to take effect Jan. 1, 2011 — aims to slash unnecessary spending, administrative burdens and duplicate insurance processing. Sacramento Bee.
Survey: Few Seniors Aware of Overhaul’s Changes to Part D
More than seven of 10 Medicare Part D beneficiaries are unaware that the federal health reform law eventually will close the prescription drug coverage gap, known as the “doughnut hole,” according to a survey conducted by KRC Research for the advocacy group Medicare Today. The survey also found that fewer than half knew that those who were in the doughnut hole will receive a $250 check this year. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Court Upholds State’s Exemption From Nurse Anesthetist Rule
A California Superior Court judge has ruled that Gov. Schwarzenegger complied with state law when he exempted California from a Medicare regulation that requires physicians to supervise nurse anesthetists. HealthLeaders Media, AANA release.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of October 15, 2010
This week, nurses at Children’s Hospital Oakland held a three-day strike over a contract proposal that would require them to pay more for health coverage. Meanwhile, Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital has started offering buyouts to employees as part of an effort to cut costs.
Steinberg Aims To Reverse Some of Governor’s Line-Item Vetoes
Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg says that he will ask California’s next governor to reverse some of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s line-item vetoes to the state budget, which cut spending from some health programs. Sacramento Bee et al.
State Organ Donor Network Misused Funds, Audit Finds
In an audit from the HHS Office of Inspector General, federal officials identified $167,064 in “unallowable and unsupported costs” at the California Transplant Donor Network. The network agreed with some of the findings from the report but said some of its expenses were associated with fundraising and increasing public awareness. HealthLeaders Media.