Latest California Healthline Stories
Sebelius Says HHS Will Help U.S. Residents Sift Through Health Reform
In a speech at the National Press Club, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius pledged that her agency would serve as a “help desk” to assist U.S. residents in understanding the health reform law. Sebelius also warned consumers about a rise in health insurance scams. Reuters et al.
Survey: Doctor Compensation Lags in Academic Practices
Between 2008 and 2009, annual compensation increased by 2.9% for primary care physicians in academic practice and by 2.4% for specialist physicians in academic practice, according to a new survey from the Medical Group Management Association. The survey also found that academic practices have had lower annual compensation levels than private practices for the past decade. HealthLeaders Media.
San Diego Care Providers Wary of Health Reform Effect
With the passage of national health care reform, San Diego care providers are anticipating how the new law will affect their finances. Hospitals and doctors are concerned about an influx of new patients resulting from the planned Medicaid expansion; accounting for uncompensated care until 2014, when many reform provisions take effect; and the supply of primary care physicians. San Diego Business Journal.
John Muir Health System Notifying 5,450 Patients of Possible Data Breach
On Monday, John Muir Health began notifying 5,450 patients about a potential breach of their personal and health information after two laptop computers were stolen from a Walnut Creek office. The hospital system has notified HHS about the breach. San Francisco Business Times.
Study: California Public Pensions Underfunded by Over $500B
A study conducted by Stanford University graduate students finds that California’s three largest public pension funds are underfunded by more than half a trillion dollars. Gov. Schwarzenegger said the state might need to divert money from health care programs and other services to pay off the pension debt. San Jose Mercury News et al.
States Airing Concerns About Costs of Implementing Reform
The new health care reform law prohibits states from reducing eligibility for their Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Programs over the next several years. States that previously planned to pursue such program cuts are raising concerns about how the reform law will affect their budgets. NPR.
GAO Report: CMS Not Adequately Addressing Payment System Issues
A new report from the Government Accountability Office suggests that CMS has not gone far enough to address system vulnerabilities that resulted in improper Medicare payments. The report calls for CMS officials to implement new policies for corrective action. HealthLeaders Media.
Nursing Programs Reach Capacity in California
At a time when California has a nursing shortage of about 10,000, the state’s community college nursing programs are at capacity and many have waiting lists. Some prospective nursing students are turning to market-based or proprietary programs, which are more expensive than those at community colleges. NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
San Francisco Tops List of Markets for Health Care Jobs
The San Francisco Bay Area ranks highest among 30 health care labor markets in the U.S., according to Health Workforce Solutions. The Sacramento area had been ranked first, but recent layoffs by the Fremont-Rideout Health Group dropped the area to last place in the latest ranking, which covers the first quarter of 2010. Sacramento Bee.
Riverside County Plans Clinic Cuts in Response to Major Budget Strain
Officials with the Riverside County Department of Public Health estimate that the department will need to scale back family clinic appointments, lay off workers and discontinue immunization clinics to deal with a proposed 25% budget reduction. Riverside Press-Enterprise.