Latest California Healthline Stories
Report: More PCPs Does Not Guarantee Better Outcomes
Patients who have greater access to and choice of primary care physicians are not necessarily more likely to receive better care or experience improved treatment outcomes, according to a new report by the Dartmouth Atlas Project. David Goodman, the report’s lead author, noted that improved outcomes hinged on physicians’ and hospitals’ efforts to better coordinate care. Kaiser Health News.
Editorial: Health Reform Law Already Delivering Results
The federal health reform law “addresses two big issues right now”: tax incentives to help small businesses provide health coverage and rules allowing children up to age 26 to stay on their parents’ insurance plan, a Sacramento Bee editorial states. The Bee notes that the health care overhaul provides “ambitious reforms” that should be given “a chance to work.” Sacramento Bee.
State Awaits CMS OK for Hospital Fee Designed To Bring in Medi-Cal Funds
Gov. Schwarzenegger has signed a bill to create a structure for a hospital fee aimed at drawing down federal matching funds for Medi-Cal. If CMS approves the plan, the state could receive $2.6 billion in extra Medi-Cal funds before the end of 2010. Sacramento Business Journal.
Medical Clinics Get Loans To Stay Open in Budget Impasse
Twenty-seven health care clinics statewide are receiving loans under a $22 million fund set up to assist medical clinics during the state’s budget impasse. Forty-one clinics have applied for loans, which must be repaid within a month after a budget is enacted. Los Angeles Times.
Doctors Group Sues Blue Shield Over Online Physician Ratings
The California Medical Association has filed a class-action lawsuit alleging that Blue Shield of California’s online physician rating program uses faulty information that potentially could mislead consumers. Sacramento Business Journal et al.
Lawmakers To Explore Legislation Clarifying Research for Stem Cells
Congressional Democrats are expected to seek legislative paths around a recent ruling that temporarily banned federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. However, Congress likely will not pass such measures before the midterm elections. CQ Today et al.
Group Urges Mandatory Flu Shots for Health Workers
Last week, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a policy statement calling for all health workers to receive annual vaccinations for influenza. The group said hospitals should develop mandatory vaccination programs and enforce compliance with the requirement. The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America also recently published a position paper recommending that all health workers receive flu shots as a condition of their employment. AP/Ventura County Star.
Kaiser Workers Start Vote To Select Union Representation
Beginning Monday, about 44,000 Kaiser Permanente employees will vote to retain the incumbent Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West as their union or switch to the National Union of Healthcare Workers. Voting will last until Oct. 4. Santa Rosa Press Democrat et al.
Florida Judge To Issue Ruling on States’ Suit Against Reform Law
A ruling from a Florida judge is anticipated this week on a multistate lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the health reform law. Meanwhile, other conservative organizations and lawmakers are stepping up efforts to withhold funding for the overhaul. Los Angeles Times et al.
Analysis: C-Sections More Common at For-Profit Hospitals in Calif.
A recent California Watch analysis finds that for-profit hospitals in California perform caesarean sections at a higher rate than not-for-profit hospitals. Previous studies show that c-sections generate more revenue than vaginal births. San Francisco Chronicle et al.