Latest California Healthline Stories
Private Clinics Worried Over Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Restructuring
Ventura County is reshaping its Medi-Cal system from a state-administered program to a locally run managed care organization. Stakeholders have expressed concern that the changes will divert patients to county-run programs instead of private clinics. Ventura County Star.
Governor Urges Lawmakers To Impose IHSS Worker Restrictions
Gov. Schwarzenegger has sent a letter urging California’s legislative leaders to take action to prevent people with certain felony convictions from providing care through the state’s In-Home Supportive Services program. Los Angeles Times et al.
Patients Reporting Long Wait Times for Biopsies at Harbor-UCLA Hospital
Women seeking appointments for breast biopsies at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center have reported facing wait times as long as five months. Hospital and county officials say the reports of delays are exaggerated and biopsy wait times are between one and four weeks. Los Angeles Times.
Support Grows for Medical Marijuana Ballot Measure
A Field Poll released on Sunday finds that 49% of likely voters support Proposition 19, which would legalize the sale and use of marijuana for medical purposes. The results indicate a shift in voter attitude toward the proposal, which is on the Nov. 2 ballot. In July, 44% of likely voters supported the ballot initiative. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Merger Trend Involving Hospitals, Physicians Could Affect Care Costs
Consumer advocates say that a wave of hospital and physician consolidation, partly sparked by health reform, could further drive up health care prices. Meanwhile, proponents of consolidation say coordinating care has the potential to reduce costs. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post.
Employer-Provided Insurance Down by 2%, Study Finds
The number of U.S. adults younger than age 65 with employment-based health insurance declined to 59%, down by more than two percentage points from 2008 and the lowest level since 1994, according to a report by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The report found that the number of employed U.S. residents who did not receive insurance through their jobs increased from 17.4% in 2008 to 18.9% in 2009. United Press International.
More Work Still Needed on Health Reform, Editorial Says
“Last Thursday was a day for celebration in the world of health care,” as some provisions of the health reform law took effect, but “this is no time for health care reform advocates to rest,” according to a San Jose Mercury News editorial. Citing plans by insurers to “stop selling child-only individual policies” and estimates that the U.S. “will spend almost $2 trillion on health care this year,” the editorial concludes that reform “won’t be completed until those numbers dramatically change.” San Jose Mercury News.
Newspaper Endorses Jones for Insurance Commissioner
The Sacramento Bee writes that the state’s next insurance commissioner will “confront a new responsibility — national health care reform in California,” adding that “voters would be wise to pick a candidate with an active interest in health care reform.” Assembly member Dave Jones “is the better choice” for commissioner because he would fulfill the job’s role as “an advocate for consumers and businesses who buy insurance,” the editorial states. Sacramento Bee.
Number of Registered Nurses on the Rise, Study Concludes
From 2004 to 2008, the number of licensed registered nurses nationwide increased by 5% to 3.1 million, according to a report by the Health Resources and Services Administration. About 45% of nurses have associate degrees in nursing, and hospitals are the most popular employer for RNs, the study found. HealthLeaders Media.
Health Groups Top List of Industry Lobbyists in 2010’s Second Quarter
The health care industry spent $267 million on lobbying through the second quarter to guard its interests amid challenges to the health reform law. It remains unclear whether stakeholders prefer the law to remain unchanged or if they are seeking revisions. Washington Times et al.