Latest California Healthline Stories
Bill To Change Medicare Payment Formula for Doctors Clears House
Yesterday, the House approved legislation aimed at avoiding a 21% cut to Medicare physician payments and permanently changing the way the pay rates are set. The American Medical Association has conditioned its support for health care reform on passage of such a bill. New York Times‘ “Prescriptions” et al.
Web Site Offers Ratings on Long-Term Care Providers
On Thursday, the California HealthCare Foundation launched a no-cost Web site, CalQualityCare.org, that rates the state’s residential nursing homes, home health agencies and hospices. The ratings are based on data from state and federal agencies on staffing levels, quality of care and reported deficiencies. Sacramento Bee.
Update Urges Less Frequent Screening for Cervical Cancer
On Thursday, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released updated guidelines that advise women to delay their first Pap test until age 21 and undergo subsequent Pap tests less frequently than previous guidelines advocated. New York Times.
Sacramento County Launches Effort To Combat IHSS Fraud
On Thursday, Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully announced an effort that will have county, state and federal investigators step up their collaboration to prevent and detect fraud in the county’s In-Home Supportive Services program. State officials hope the program can be used as a model for efforts in other counties. Sacramento Bee.
Lakeside HealthCare Bought by Heritage Provider Network
Earlier this month, Heritage Provider Network purchased Burbank-based Lakeside HealthCare, creating a medical group that will serve more than 600,000 patients. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Without the deal, Lakeside would have faced bankruptcy. Los Angeles Times.
Calif. Hospital News Roundup for the Week of Nov. 20, 2009
The March Joint Powers commission approved plans for a 3.5 million square-foot medical complex, and Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento won certification from the Joint Commission to implant “destination” heart pumps in patients.
First 5 Supporters Gear Up To Oppose Perata’s Tobacco Tax Measure
Former Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata’s proposed ballot initiative would raise tobacco taxes to help fund cancer research. Some critics say the measure would drain revenue away from California’s First 5 early childhood health and education program. Oakland Tribune.
Judge Orders U.S. To Pay for Same-Sex Partner’s Benefits
On Wednesday, U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Reinhardt ruled that an attorney in the federal public defender’s office in Los Angeles is entitled to additional pay to cover the cost of his husband’s private health insurance coverage. The federal government cited the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act in its previous refusal to enroll the attorney’s husband in the insurance plan offered through the federal courts. Los Angeles Times et al.
Resurgent Budget Deficit Could Result in More Health Care Cuts
California lawmakers will need to consider various strategies to mend a recently projected $20.7 billion budget deficit. Officials are unlikely to cut spending for Medi-Cal because the state accepted federal stimulus funds this year. However, lawmakers might reduce funding for Healthy Families and other health programs to bring the state’s books back into balance. Sacramento Bee et al.
Mammogram Coverage Under Medicare Won’t Change, Sebelius Says
Responding to public outcry over new recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said that Medicare would not alter its current policies for covering mammograms. Sebelius sought to separate the recommendations from the reform debate. New York Times et al.