Latest California Healthline Stories
Stanford Medicine Begins List of Faculty Consulting Fees
The Stanford University School of Medicine has launched a Web site that publicly discloses potential conflicts of interest for its 1,400 faculty members. The site lists the companies from which faculty members have received $5,000 or more from consulting, board memberships, lectures or advice. San Francisco Business Times.
Bass, Editorial Underscore Legislative High Points of ’09
Assembly Speaker Karen Bass and the San Jose Mercury News editorial board single out AB 1422 as one of the great moments of 2009 for the California Legislature. Gov. Schwarzenegger has pledged to sign the bill, which will add a tax on Medi-Cal managed care plans to increase funding for Healthy Families. Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News.
Insurance Premiums Continue Upward Rise in 2009, New Study Finds
An annual report by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research and Educational Trust shows that health insurance premiums increased by 5% in the first five months of 2009. The survey also found that most employers plan to raise workers’ contributions to premiums next year. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Baucus Unveils Long-Awaited Health Care Reform Proposal
Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus released the bill this morning after months of negotiations. Elements of the proposal sparked criticism from Republicans and Democrats, and one Democrat has said he will not vote for it in its current form. Baucus plans to begin markups on the bill next week. Wall Street Journal et al.
Children’s Hospital Oakland Center Wins Stimulus Grants
Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute has received eight federal economic stimulus grants from NIH worth $4.5 million to fund research. The largest grant, which is $1.3 million over two years, was given to Edward Lammer, who is leading research on the genetic and environmental causes of congenital heart defects. San Francisco Business Times.
Editorial Urges Governor To Sign Anti-Rescissions Bill
Although Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last year vetoed a similar bill, “he should take” the “chance to redeem himself” by signing a bill by Assembly member Hector De La Torre that would prohibit several health insurer practices, including rescission, an editorial argues. Los Angeles Times.
Republicans Highlight Health Care Bills in Face of Criticism
Speaking to the AFL-CIO last week, President Obama suggested that Republicans had not offered any viable proposals to overhaul the health care system, prompting Republican members of Congress to emphasize reform bills they introduced. However, many analysts say that the GOP proposals would not bring about major changes to the health care sector. NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
For Routine Cases, Retail Clinics Can Deliver, New Research Indicates
A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that retail clinics treat routine illnesses as effectively as more traditional health care settings and that treatment at retail clinics costs significantly less. Physicians groups have questioned the quality of care at retail clinics. Washington Post.
Fresno County Could Be Model for Fraud Prevention Services
The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office is hoping to become a model for other counties to address the growing problem of fraud within the state’s In-Home Supportive Services program. The county allocates $500,000 annually for its fraud prevention efforts, and has in the past six years convicted 260 people on charges related to IHSS fraud. Fresno Bee.
California To Provide Online Prescription Drug Database
On Tuesday, California Attorney General Jerry Brown will unveil an online database that will allow doctors and pharmacists in the state access to a patient’s prescription drug use history. The database is intended to reduce prescription drug misuse by making patient histories more available and preventing “doctor shopping.” Previously, doctors and pharmacists had to fax or phone in their requests, which could take several days to fulfill. AP/Sacramento Bee.