Latest California Healthline Stories
Editorial: State Must Fix Mammogram Program
A Santa Rosa Press Democrat editorial urges lawmakers to reopen the state’s Every Woman Counts program to new enrollees and lift some eligibility restrictions. The program pays for breast cancer screening and diagnostic services for low-income uninsured women. The editorial states, “Given the magnitude of the state’s deficit, now estimated at $19 billion, it’s inevitable that valuable programs are going to suffer,” adding, “But it’s inexcusable when services aren’t delivered because of program mismanagement, which appears to be the case with Every Woman Counts.” Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Anthem Blue Cross Says Security Breach Might Have Affected 230,000
The insurer is sending letters to alert 230,000 members that their personal information might have been accessed by attorneys seeking information for a class-action lawsuit. Anthem is offering one year of identity protection services to affected members. Orange County Register.
CEOs of California’s Not-for-Profit Hospitals Earn High Wages, Study Finds
Average annual compensation for CEOs of California’s not-for-profit hospitals topped $737,000 during 2007 and 2008, according to a study conducted by Payers & Providers. The analysis found that 16 not-for-profit hospital CEOs earned more than $1 million annually. Payers & Providers.
San Francisco Considers Alcohol Fee To Recover Funds for Health Costs
The proposed legislation would impose a fee on alcoholic beverages to raise funds for health costs associated with alcohol misuse. Supporters predict the fee would generate more than $15 million annually. San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner.
Minn. Nurses Union Votes To OK Open-Ended Strike Plans
This week, Minnesota nurses voted to authorize an open-ended strike at 14 Minneapolis-St. Paul hospitals, setting the stage for a walkout as early as July. Monday’s vote comes after a one-day strike on June 10 involving about 12,000 nurses failed to resolve contract disputes with local hospitals and health systems. Although many California nurses planned a one-day walkout to coincide with the Minnesota nurses’ strike, a judge barred University of California nurses from participating. Minneapolis Star Tribune, St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Report: San Francisco Bay Area Counties Get Less State Health Funds
A Legislative Analyst’s Office report finds that although many counties in the San Francisco Bay Area pay a larger share of taxes per capita than other counties, they receive relatively low levels of state funding for Medi-Cal and In-Home Supportive Services. San Jose Mercury News.
White House Releases New ‘Patient’s Bill of Rights’ on Insurance
The Obama administration’s new regulations prohibit insurance exclusions for children with pre-existing conditions, ban coverage rescissions except in cases of fraud and impose other restrictions on the health insurance industry. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Insurers Test Medical Homes To Curb Chronic Care Costs
Some insurers are implementing versions of the medical home model, which seeks to better coordinate care and lower long-term costs by paying physicians and nurses to monitor patients with chronically illnesses. Pennsylvania-based Geisinger Health System — a health care provider network that also covers about 250,000 individuals through its insurance plan — has begun paying the salaries of extra nurses in physician offices to help patients manage chronic conditions and avoid hospital admission. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island launched a similar program earlier this year, while Aetna, Cigna and WellPoint are considering comparable initiatives. New York Times.
State Stem Cell Agency Awards $25M for Research
The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine has awarded $25 million to 19 projects aimed at addressing immune rejection of transplanted stem cells. CIRM was formed after California voters approved Proposition 71 to fund stem cell research in 2004. San Francisco Business Times.
Whitman Takes Aim at Nurses Union With Website
Yesterday, GOP gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman launched a new website, called Truth for Nurses, that includes the results of an internal poll, as well as articles and a video accusing the California Nurses Association of paying excessive salaries to high-level executives and wasting members’ dues on political activity. Whitman spokesperson Tucker Bounds said the site aims to get around CNA’s leadership and communicate directly with union members. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”