Latest California Healthline Stories
New Poll Finds Growing Support for Public Option
A new Washington Post/ABC News poll indicates that a majority of U.S. residents support both a public health insurance plan option and an individual mandate requiring everyone to purchase insurance coverage. Support for the public option is up five percentage points from August. Washington Post.
Move to Electronic Records Sparks Privacy Concerns
Firms that sell clinical information systems to health care providers also market de-identified patient data to researchers and pharmaceutical firms. The companies assert that procedures ensure that patients’ sensitive data are not compromised, and new regulations require patients to be notified if breaches do occur. New York Times.
Marketing Strategy Resulted in Use of Comparison Data
Traffic to the California HealthCare Foundation’s hospital quality ratings Web site, CalHospitalCompare.org, increased significantly as a result of a marketing strategy targeted at pregnant women. The campaign included banner ads of news-related Web sites and community Web sites, including Yelp and CitySearch, and keyword-based advertising on Google and Yahoo. FierceHealthcare.
CMS Lays Out Policy for Insurers To Address Overhaul With Members
Last week, CMS said it will not bar insurers from sending communications to members about health care reform efforts so long as federal funds aren’t used for the mailings. Health plans must get members’ permission before sending them such information. AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution et al.
Massachusetts, Hawaii Offer Lessons for U.S. Health Reform Efforts
Although Massachusetts’ health care initiative has helped extend coverage to 96% of residents, some experts say the program has inadequate cost controls. Meanwhile, Hawaii’s health system has helped residents stay healthy and kept costs low. Los Angeles Times, New York Times.
UCSF, Brown & Toland Medical Groups Square Off Over Disaffiliation
UC-San Francisco medical group has launched a $600,000 campaign to inform the public that it has ended its prior affiliation with Brown & Toland Physicians and will begin contracting with another medical group. Brown & Toland says the ads are misleading. San Francisco Chronicle.
Minority Communities at High Risk of H1N1 Virus
Black, Hispanic, Native American and other minority communities should get vaccinated against the H1N1 virus because many members of such communities have chronic diseases or compromised immune systems, Felipe Lobelo, an epidemiologist for CDC, said. New America Media.
Reform Bills Might Push Insurers To Deny More Claims
Because insurers would have to offer coverage to all applicants regardless of pre-existing conditions if health care reform passes, insurers might deny more treatment claims to help control their costs. The proposals would not expand consumer protections against treatment denials. Los Angeles Times.
Budget Thwarts Steinberg’s Plan for Kids’ Health Coverage
When Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg assumed his leadership post last year, he planned to push legislation that would have provided universal health coverage for all California children, but California’s budget deficit derailed the effort and other legislative goals. Sacramento Bee.
States Worry About Cost of Expanding Medicaid as Tax Revenue Falls
Governors are concerned about covering states’ share of proposals to expand Medicaid as part of a larger health care overhaul under consideration in Congress. The plans come as state tax revenue dropped by more than 9% on average in 2009. USA Today, Wall Street Journal.