Latest California Healthline Stories
Pelosi Maps Strategy for Approval of Health Care Overhaul Legislation
Speaking to reporters before President Obama’s State of the Union address, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that she could wrangle up the votes to approve a comprehensive health care overhaul bill if senators agree to numerous changes. CongressDaily et al.
Sale of Subsidiary Boosts WellPoint Earnings in Q4
On Wednesday, WellPoint announced that its fourth-quarter profit for 2009 exceeded analyst estimates, reaching $2.7 billion, or $5.95 per share, largely as a result of its sale of pharmacy benefit manager subsidiaries in December. WellPoint is the parent company of Anthem Blue Cross of California. Los Angeles Times.
San Mateo County Officials Mull Tax To Fund Hospital
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors is exploring the option of placing a tax measure on an upcoming ballot, potentially to help fund operations at San Mateo County Medical Center. The county is studying the possibility as it considers strategies for addressing its budget deficit. San Jose Mercury News.
UCSF Alerting Patients to Potential Data Breach
On Wednesday, UC-San Francisco officials announced that personal information for about 4,400 patients might have been violated after a medical school employee’s laptop was stolen in November. The laptop has been recovered, and UCSF officials said there is no evidence the information was accessed. San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Business Times.
Analysis: About 20% of Nursing Homes Receive Consistently Low Marks
A new USA Today analysis of CMS data finds that about one in five of the country’s 15,700 nursing homes consistently received low scores for overall quality. Long-term care facilities operated by for-profit organizations tended to receive the lowest rating levels. USA Today.
Health Care Plays Supporting Role in State of the Union Speech
The centerpiece of President Obama’s State of the Union address last night was the economy, but the president did speak out in favor of health care reform more than 30 minutes into the speech. The president urged Democrats to persevere in their push to approve health care reform legislation and opened the door to “better ideas” to overhaul health care. New York Times et al.
Sutter Gives $10M to Marin Community Foundation
Sutter Health has donated $10 million to the Marin Community Foundation for an initiative aimed at improving access to primary care services for Marin residents. Sutter has operated the foundation’s hospital for decades but will cease its management of the facility this summer. San Francisco Business Times.
Consultant Says Reform Bills Would Support Prevention
Lucy Johns, a San Francisco-based health care planning and policy consultant, writes that health care reform legislation under consideration in Congress would provide billions of dollars for “long-term disease prevention and health promotion,” money that health department directors say could “lengthen and enhance quality of life.” San Francisco Chronicle.
Lack of Consensus Over Cost Savings From Cuts to In-Home Health Care
Eldercare advocates say proposed cuts to in-home care services will force more people into nursing homes and drive up Medi-Cal costs. However, state budget analysts say the state could achieve savings if fewer than one-third of beneficiaries end up in nursing homes. Ventura County Star.
Democrats in Congress Signal Slow Down on Health Care Reform
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer backed away from previous target dates for passing overhaul legislation and said their respective caucuses are evaluating their options for moving forward with health care reform. Wall Street Journal et al.