Latest California Healthline Stories
Donation To Bolster Medical Research at UC Campuses
Andy Grove, former Intel CEO, has announced plans to donate $1.5 million to help UC-San Francisco and UC-Berkeley launch a joint two-year master’s degree program in translational medicine. The program aims to accelerate research on the development of treatments for cancer, diabetes, neurological disorders and other conditions. San Francisco Business Times.
White House’s Efforts Have Not Changed Public Opinion on Reform Law
Despite efforts by the Obama administration to implement some of the more popular health reform provisions ahead of schedule, public support for the new health reform law remains relatively stagnant, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation poll. Politico.
California’s Children’s Dental Health Care Crisis Could Worsen
According to the National Survey of Children’s Health, California’s children’s dental health is the third worst in the country. Although health experts in the state have recognized the need to address dental health in early childhood, such programs are new and lack funding. Meanwhile, proposed state budget cuts and rising unemployment could escalate the problem. New York Times.
Committees Unveil Bill To Raise Medicare Payments Until 2013
Yesterday, lawmakers released finalized text of the so-called “extenders” bill that would raise doctors’ Medicare reimbursements by 1% to 2% through 2013. The provision scales back an earlier plan for a five-year fix that drew opposition from some physicians and lawmakers. Politico et al.
State Regulators Issue Fines to 9 Hospitals for Patient Safety Lapses
Yesterday, the California Department of Public Health announced that it has levied $550,000 in fines against nine hospitals for major patient safety violations. Four of the hospitals are in San Diego County and two are in the San Francisco Bay Area. Los Angeles Times et al.
Assembly Panel Nixes Gov.’s Cuts to IHSS, Other Services
An Assembly budget subcommittee on Wednesday voted against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s (R) proposal to reduce spending by $637 million for the In-Home Supportive Services program. The governor’s budget plan seeks to address a $19.1 billion deficit and the Schwarzenegger has defended his spending cuts, saying that the state has few places where cuts can be made. Democrats have not yet proposed alternative cuts. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
California Hospital News Roundup for Week of May 21, 2010
Los Angeles County health officials have started investigating recent allegations against County-USC Medical Center as well as Olive View-UCLA Medical Center. Meanwhile, workers at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital have voted to join the National Union of Healthcare Workers.
Spending on Prescriptions, Kids’ Medication Up in 2009
In 2009, overall U.S. prescription drug spending rose by 3.7%, while spending on medications for children increased by 10.8%, according to a new report by Medco Health Systems. The report, which was based on information collected from pharmacy benefit manager Medco’s 200 largest clients, found that the higher spending was caused by a 1.3% rise in drug use and a 2.4% increase in unit cost. Wall Street Journal‘s “Health Blog” et al.
Restaurant Association Joins With UnitedHealth on Coverage Initiative
Today, the National Restaurant Association and UnitedHealth Group announced a new program designed to extend health insurance coverage to the estimated four million to six million restaurant workers who currently lack health benefits. Los Angeles Times.
AHIP: HSA Enrollment on the Rise in California, Nationwide
Ten million U.S. residents were enrolled in health savings account-eligible insurance plans in January 2010, a 25% increase over January 2009, according to a new report by America’s Health Insurance Plans. California led the country in HSA enrollment, with slightly more than one million residents enrolled in HSA-eligible plans. HealthLeaders Media, San Francisco Business Times.