Latest California Healthline Stories
Center Stumps for Greater Usage of One-e-App Tool
The Center To Promote HealthCare Access is touting the use of One-e-App to boost enrollment in public health insurance and social services programs. The tool uses one electronic tool to help users apply for multiple public benefits programs. CNET News’ “For the Record.”
Federal Report Finds Billions in Improperly Paid Medicare Claims
As much as 12.4% of Medicare reimbursements for its fee-for-service program in 2009 were paid improperly, raising questions about the government’s ability to weed out fraud from Medicare and Medicaid. President Obama plans to announce new anti-fraud efforts next week. AP/Detroit Free Press, AP/Boston Globe.
Senate Moves Toward Kicking Off Health Care Reform Debate
Today, the Congressional Budget Office could deliver a report on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s health care reform proposal that estimates how much the bill would cost and how many people it would cover. The report would set the stage for Reid to try to begin debate on the bill, raising questions about whether he has the 60 votes needed to thwart a filibuster attempt. CongressDaily et al.
New Guidelines Raise Recommended Age To Begin Mammograms
Yesterday, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force came out with recommendations advising that most women begin routine breast cancer screening with mammograms at age 50, rather than age 40. The advice was met with resistance from some groups. New York Times et al.
Doctors Might Pull Support for Reform Without Pay Fix
The American Medical Association might shift its support away from health care reform legislation if Congress does not overhaul the method Medicare uses to set physician reimbursement rates. The House likely will approve a measure this week, but the measure faces an uphill battle in the Senate. Politico.
Ballot Proposal Would Raise Tobacco Tax To Fund Cancer Research
Yesterday, former Senate President Pro Tempore Don Perata launched a ballot initiative that would raise tobacco taxes by a dollar per pack of cigarettes to help fund cancer research. Perata estimated that the tax initially would raise about $900 million per year. Oakland Tribune, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Medicare Pilot Projects Seek Cost Cuts, Prevention
Home health care providers, retirement communities and other providers have been conducting Medicare pilot projects that use simple technological devices that allow doctors to track patients from home. The projects are intended to help control health problems before they become more serious, in turn reducing the need for more costly care and hospital admissions. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post.
Drug Industry Raising Rx Drug Costs as Health Care Reform Gets Closer
Despite a deal with lawmakers to help cut the country’s drug costs, drugmakers have raised the wholesale cost of brand-name prescriptions by an average of 9% this year. The drug industry says it has legitimate reasons to increase prices, but critics argue that it is a strategic move. New York Times.
Experts Question Number of Surgeries in Shasta County
State health officials have raised concerns over recently released state data that found physicians in Shasta County performed nearly twice as many spinal fusion procedures and hysterectomies from 2005 to 2007 as physicians in other counties. State officials said the figures are of particular concern in Shasta County, where in 2002 it was discovered that doctors at a Redding hospital performed unnecessary heart procedures to bolster the facility’s bottom line. Redding Record Searchlight.
Feinstein, Pelosi Must Work Together on Health Care
Although House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) “butt heads” on how to lower health care costs, they should instead work together, argues an editorial. Pelosi insists that passing a health reform bill is key to lowering costs, while Feinstein is seeking a permanent commission to make recommendations on how to maintain Medicare solvency. The editorial continues that “it would be far better for the nation if they’d sit down and hash out a deal.” Sacramento Bee.