Latest California Healthline Stories
Medical Malpractice Tab Now Greater Than $55B Annually, Study Finds
The U.S. health care system spends $55.6 billion annually on medical liability, according to a new study. About $45 billion of that amount stems from defensive medicine, in which doctors prescribe potentially unnecessary tests to avoid lawsuits. New York Times, Reuters.
Whitman Calls for Statewide Grand Jury To Police Fraud
GOP gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman has introduced a plan to create a so-called statewide grand jury that would investigate reports of abuse, fraud and waste in state programs. California currently does not have one entity with the scope of Whitman’s plan for a grand jury, though the state does have anti-fraud systems in place. For example, the Department of Health Care Services tracks complaints related to Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, and refers cases to the office of the attorney general. San Francisco Chronicle.
More Than Half of Acute Care Visits Not Made to Primary Care Physician
More than 50% of medical visits for acute medical care are not made to a primary care physician, and more than a quarter of those visits are to a hospital emergency department, underscoring inefficiencies in the U.S. health care system, a new study finds. New York Times.
Advocates Call for More Efforts To Enroll Kids in Public Health Coverage
In California, about 700,000 uninsured children are eligible for government health insurance programs such as Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. Advocates are calling for the state to restore funding to services that help enroll children in such programs. Sacramento Bee.
Editorial Praises California’s Progress on Health Reform
If Gov. Schwarzenegger signs legislation recently passed by state lawmakers, California could become the first state to establish a health insurance exchange under the federal health reform law, a San Jose Mercury News editorial states. It continues, “Health care reform could be the Legislature’s most momentous accomplishment in this mostly abysmal session,” adding that creating an insurance exchange “sends the clearest possible signal to Washington that the state is serious about working together to build a better safety net for its eight million uninsured residents.” San Jose Mercury News.
Groups Aim To Boost Reform Law Knowledge in California
Last week, a coalition of community groups led by the California Endowment announced a $5 million educational campaign designed to increase awareness about provisions of the federal health reform law that are scheduled to take effect this month. The campaign — which will include policy research, multilingual advertisements, social media and health fairs — will target Hispanic residents, small business owners and young people. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Editorial Stumps for Healthy Kids Funding on Nov. Ballot
On Nov. 2, voters should approve Measure A, which would “raise $13.5 million per year for 10 years” to “fully fund” Santa Clara County’s Healthy Kids program and provide health care for children “in the cheapest, most efficient method possible,” a San Jose Mercury News editorial states. It adds that currently, “poor families have no choice but to take sick kids to hospital emergency rooms,” which translates to a “hidden tax” for taxpayers. San Jose Mercury News.
State Medical Board Walks Gray Line When Disciplining Doctors
During fiscal year 2008-2009, the Medical Board of California put 182 doctors on probation. The board does not have a “three-strikes” rule to revoke the license of a physician who has faced disciplinary action numerous times. Sacramento Bee.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for August 2010
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals has named Chuck Columbus senior vice president and chief human resources officer. Meanwhile, Ann Boynton is overseeing managed health care and retirement programs in her new role as CalPERS’ deputy executive officer of benefits.
Rural Health Care Clinics Struggle To Remain Open
Faced with budget cuts, many rural health care centers are trying to find ways to stay open. To remain afloat, some clinics are consolidating services, merging with other health care providers, transitioning to part-time schedules and adopting health information technology. Meanwhile, other clinics have shuttered, leaving many rural residents concerned that they will be unable to find necessary health care services. Sacramento Bee.