Latest California Healthline Stories
Opinion: Providers Key to Nation’s Health IT Strategy
In a Contra Costa Times opinion piece, Sally Pipes — president and CEO of the Pacific Research Institute — argues that as policymakers “craft the nation’s health IT strategy,” they should “collaborate with doctors and hospitals to ensure that the new technology actually results in a more efficient, higher-quality health care system. She adds that although “[e]lectronic health records have the potential to reduce health care costs, minimize physician error, shorten wait times for patients and save lives … such results are hardly guaranteed.” Contra Costa Times.
Whitman Sends Mailers to Nurses Throughout California
Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman is sending mailers to nurses throughout California after the California Nurses Association refused to provide Whitman with a list of its 85,000 members. CNA has endorsed Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerry Brown. A Whitman spokesperson said the campaign obtained a publicly available list of nurses registered with the state. AP/San Jose Mercury News.
High Percentage of Hmong in Fresno Have Hepatitis B
Nearly 17% of Hmong living in Fresno County could have hepatitis B, according to a new survey by Muhammad Sheikh, an associate professor of clinical medicine at the UCSF-Fresno Medical Education Program. About 10% of Asians nationwide have the disease. The Central Valley Hmong Health Collaborative is making awareness of the disease a priority, as many people who are infected are unaware they have hepatitis B. Fresno Bee.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of June 25, 2010
A new report finds that County-USC Medical Center in Los Angeles was “dangerously overcrowded” for more than 10% of the month of May. Meanwhile, Scripps Health has announced plans to open a $185 million proton therapy center for cancer treatment.
Health Insurers Taking Steps To Improve Member Services
Many health insurance companies are working to improve customer service and launch new programs to make their offerings more attractive to the millions of U.S. residents who will be required to obtain health insurance coverage when provisions of the federal health reform law take effect in 2014. Some insurers are opening retail stores, while others are using online forums to solicit feedback from members. Los Angeles Times.
Utah Decides To Administer High-Risk Insurance Pool
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert on Thursday announced that his state would administer its own high-risk insurance pool under the new health reform law. Utah was the last state to decide — more than one month after the HHS deadline — whether it would run its own exchange or allow the federal government to manage the program. Utah’s delayed decision underscores the challenge GOP-run states are facing in implementing a law they oppose. Wall Street Journal.
Panel Overturns Mass. Cap on Health Plan Rate Hikes
On Thursday, a three-member insurance appeals board overturned Massachusetts’ limit on health premium increases for small businesses and individual members covered by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, ruling that the rate increases originally planned by the insurer in April were reasonable. Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick criticized the ruling and said he would work to overturn it. Boston Globe.
AHA Pushing for Extension of Medicaid Assistance to States
The American Hospital Association is continuing its efforts to lobby Congress to extend the increased federal matching funds for Medicaid enacted last year as part of the economic stimulus package. Although the program is not set to expire until the end of the year, AHA is calling for lawmakers to approve the extension now to help states and hospitals prepare for the upcoming fiscal year. HealthLeaders Media.
Fresno County Health Dept. Shuts Down Specialty Clinic
On Friday, the Fresno County Department of Public Health will close a specialty clinic that provided testing for sexually transmitted infections, HIV counseling and family planning services. Officials said the county does not have the funding to keep the clinic open given its $5 million budget deficit. Closure of the clinic is expected to reduce county spending by $523,527. Fresno Bee.
Report: Health Coverage Puts Strain on Finances for California Families
A new report from the California Budget Project finds that a family of four with two working parents would need an annual income of $75,500 to cover its basic needs, such as health insurance coverage, housing, child care and transportation. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.