Latest California Healthline Stories
Loma Linda Launches Rx Drug Discount Card Program
Last week, Loma Linda officials launched a program that will allow residents to use no-cost prescription discount cards to obtain savings on commonly prescribed medications at participating pharmacies. Similar programs are in place in other cities across California. San Bernardino County Sun.
Older People Represent Growing Share of Home Aides
Direct care workers, including nursing home workers and home care aides, are increasingly older, a trend that is likely to continue over the next 10 years, according to PHI National. The group says that 28% of home care aides in 2008 were older than age 55 and that between 2008 and 2018, the percentage of older caregivers will grow from 30% to 22%. New York Times.
Calif. GOP Says Reform Law Fails To Adequately Curb Malpractice Costs
Members of California’s Republican congressional delegation are calling for new federal legislation based on the state’s medical malpractice regulations. Some experts say malpractice lawsuits are not a major contributor to health care costs. Contra Costa Times.
Investigation: WellPoint Rescinded Policies From Breast Cancer Patients
A new Reuters investigation suggests that the insurer WellPoint often canceled health insurance policies for women diagnosed with breast cancer. California regulators have made similar charges against Anthem Blue Cross of California, a WellPoint subsidiary. Reuters.
Senate Rejects Bill That Would Have Tightened Health Worker Discipline
Yesterday, a state Senate panel failed to pass a bill that aimed to strengthen the state’s process for identifying and disciplining health workers accused of misconduct. Gov. Schwarzenegger supported the measure, while labor unions opposed parts of the legislation. Sacramento Bee.
UCSB Testing Video Games’ Effect on Healthy Habits
The Health Games Research program at the University of California-Santa Barbara and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation are funding 21 projects to determine how to use video games to support healthy behaviors. For one of the projects, researchers at Columbia University are developing a game that replicates smoking by having players blow into a microphone or mobile device to encourage controlled breathing, which, similarly to nicotine, can help a person to relax. Ventura County Star.
San Mateo County Group Shelves Coverage Plan in Wake of Health Reform
On Monday, a San Mateo County task force set aside plans for a project to expand health insurance coverage to up to 44,000 low-income residents and decided instead to focus on helping local officials implement provisions of the new federal health care reform law. San Jose Mercury News.
CMS: Savings From Reform Law Could Be Lower Than Anticipated
A new CMS report estimates that the health reform law would save $577 billion over 10 years, while expanding coverage to uninsured residents would cost $828 billion. Officials noted that the estimates do not factor in changes to the tax code under the new law. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Health Care Cuts Could Affect Developmentally Disabled
In its April edition of “Health Dialogues,” KQED’s “California Report” examined how state and local efforts to scale back health services could affect residents with developmental disabilities. The edition includes segments on community-based care centers, the effects of the new health reform law, recent dental care cuts, childhood intervention programs and other issues. KQED’s “California Report.”
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of April 23, 2010
The California Department of Public Health has announced plans to revoke Southwest Healthcare System’s license over patient safety concerns. Meanwhile, Kaweah Delta Health Care District has ordered 100 Apple iPad tablet computers for its health workers.