Latest California Healthline Stories
HHS Seeks To Reinforce HIPAA Through Updated Privacy Protection Rules
HHS has issued a proposed rule to strengthen consumer control over personal health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The changes would impose fines on billing agencies and other firms that break privacy rules. Modern Healthcare et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of July 9, 2010
Frank Kiang Medical Center — a new primary care facility that will provide services in English and eight Asian languages — has opened in Oakland. Meanwhile, officials said Placerville’s Marshall Medical Center could be in danger of losing its Medicare and Medicaid funding.
Officials Report Increase in Cases of Whooping Cough Across California
The number of whooping cough cases reported in California this year is up fivefold from the same time last year, according to the Department of Public Health. State health officials are gearing up for a rise in infections that is expected to continue into late summer. Sacramento Bee et al.
Study: About One in Four California Children Have Never Visited a Dentist
The new study also finds that black and Hispanic children, as well as children without dental coverage, have the lowest rates of dental care. The study appears in the latest edition of Health Affairs. Los Angeles Times‘ “Booster Shots,” Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Opinion: Funds Needed for Long-Term Care Oversight
California lawmakers should pursue a budget proposal to increase the accountability of nursing homes across the state and use a portion of the projected savings to fund long-term care ombudsman programs, Sylvia Taylor Stein — executive director of Long Term Care Services of Ventura County Ombudsman Program — writes in a Ventura County Star opinion piece. Stein continues, “A very small investment in the local ombudsman programs in California can help ensure that the state’s colossal investment in nursing home care will result in better care and quality of life for all residents in all nursing homes.” Ventura County Star.
Workers’ Comp Insurers Lose $1.5B; Health Care Rates Rise
California’s insurers for workers’ compensation posted a $1.5 billion loss in underwriting last year, while health care payments rose from $3.64 billion in 2008 to $3.68 billion in 2009, according to a new report by the California Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau. Workers’ comp insurers earned $9.1 billion in 2009, a 16.5% drop from the year before, and health care costs accounted for about one-third of total expenses. Sacramento Business Journal.
Blue Shield Sued Over Alleged Overcharging for Safety-Net Insurance
Yesterday, a Los Angeles resident filed a lawsuit accusing Blue Shield of California of overcharging more than 6,000 policyholders who purchased coverage under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The suit is seeking class-action status. Los Angeles Times.
CMS Adds Hospital Quality Data to HealthCare.gov Site
CMS has added data to the new HealthCare.gov website on medical imaging procedures, heart care, and readmission and infection rates at hospitals. About 96% of U.S. hospitals submitted data for the effort, which includes 42 quality measures. The data update is also included in HHS’ Hospital Compare tool. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
State’s Native Population at Higher Risk of Health Issues
California’s Native and Alaskan American populations have higher rates of chronic health conditions, such as asthma and diabetes, and are more likely not to have regular access to health care services than other groups, according to a new report by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research’s American Indian Research arm. Researchers found that the group’s obesity rate for individuals ages 55 to 64 is 44%, the state’s highest, and that the group is twice as likely to be uninsured as whites. Payers & Providers.
Field Poll Finds Whitman Tied With Brown in Governor Race
California’s upcoming gubernatorial election is poised to be a close race, as former eBay CEO Meg Whitman (R) is nearly tied with Attorney General Jerry Brown (D) in a new Field Poll released on Wednesday. The poll found that Brown leads Whitman 44% to 43%, a statistically insignificant difference. Thirteen percent of respondents were undecided. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee.