Latest California Healthline Stories
Editorial: New Rules on HMO Wait Times Balance Interests
The Department of Managed Health Care’s new rules that set maximum wait times for patients to see physicians reflect “a careful and in many ways masterful job” of balancing legislative requirements, a shortage of doctors and patients’ desires, an editorial states. That said, the rules on routine appointments are “less useful” than other provisions of the regulations because they could compromise physicians’ availability for more urgent matters, according to the editorial. Los Angeles Times.
Opinion: Push for Health Care Reform Overlooks Clinic Model
In his campaign for health care reform, President Obama has missed the opportunity to expand the network of clinics and community health centers as a way to provide medical services to more people, according to Thomas Lorentzen, a regional director of HHS under President George W. Bush and a speechwriter to the HHS secretary under President Reagan. Lorentzen asserts that “a political consensus” on the issue already exists among liberals and conservatives. San Francisco Chronicle.
Panel Pushes Changes at California Stem Cell Agency
On Tuesday, the California Financial Accountability Oversight Committee approved recommendations from the Little Hoover Commission that called for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine to rework the process it uses to approve funding requests. The Little Hoover Commission has called for greater transparency at CIRM. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Outpatient Fees Hiked at Los Angeles County Facilities
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a 5% increase to outpatient fees at county-operated health care facilities effective Feb. 1. County officials say the fee hike is needed to cover the county’s costs. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Poll: Few Calif. Voters Approve of Congress’ Health Care Work
A new Field Poll found that nearly 70% of California voters disapprove of the way Congress is handling health care. Voters also expressed general dissatisfaction with the overall job performance of Congress and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. However, more state voters still lean toward Democratic candidates in their congressional district. San Diego Union-Tribune, McClatchy/Sacramento Bee.
Obama Expected To Hit on Health Care in State of the Union Address
When President Obama delivers his State of the Union address tonight, aides say he will explain how he plans to continue the push for health care reform. The president’s aides said he will take responsibility for not delivering a health care overhaul more quickly. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.
SEIU Ousted in Election To Represent Southern Calif. Kaiser Workers
Kaiser Permanente health care workers in Southern California voted overwhelmingly to leave the Service Employees International Union in favor of a rival startup group. The vote will bring 2,300 workers into the National Union of Healthcare Workers. San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
Delays in Health Reform Efforts Offer Chance for GOP To Push Proposals
Many Republicans are calling to restart efforts on health care reform legislation and are resurrecting proposals to tighten medical malpractice rules and permit interstate sales of health insurance policies. NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
Pentagon Extends Health Net’s TRICARE Contract by 1 Year, Plans Review
Health Net will continue to serve as the Department of Defense’s TRICARE military health contractor until at least March 2011. Pentagon officials extended Health Net’s contract while they review potential problems with an earlier deal with Aetna. Sacramento Business Journal.
‘Worst Possible Time’ To Push Single Payer, Editorial Says
Given California’s estimated $20 billion budget deficit, it “is the worst possible time to introduce such a massive increase in state government operations” as would be required to implement a single-payer health care system in the state, a Contra Costa Times editorial states. Last week, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted 6-3 to approve SB 810, which is aimed at setting up a single-payer system in California. Contra Costa Times.