Latest California Healthline Stories
Opinion: U.S. Should Follow State’s Lead on Medical Errors
Other states could learn from California about reducing medical errors, an editorial argues. Three laws written by state Sen. Elaine Alquist that took effect in 2007 require hospitals to promptly report medical errors to the state health department and increased fines for serious mistakes. The editorial concludes, “A federal reporting system would strengthen California’s hand and make all patients safer.” San Francisco Chronicle.
FDA Medical Device Division Head Schultz To Resign
Daniel Schultz, head of FDA’s medical device division, will resign after staff scientists alleged they were pressured into approving certain products against their professional opinion. Lawmakers are investigating the allegations, made earlier this year in a letter to the Obama administration transition team by nine of the scientists. AP/New York Times.
Foundation’s No-Cost Clinic Gets Overwhelming Response
On Tuesday, the Remote Area Medical Foundation began an eight-day clinic in the Los Angeles Forum, where dozens of volunteer physicians, dentists, nurses and other providers offered no-cost medical services. About 1,500 people received services, but the clinic was unable to provide services to hundreds more. It is the first time RAMF has run a remote clinic in an urban setting. Los Angeles Times.
Kaiser Permanente Cuts 1,850 California Jobs, Unions Express Concern
Yesterday, Kaiser Permanente announced that it has cut 1,850 positions in California. The cuts will not affect physician positions. SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West said the union has an agreement preventing Kaiser from laying off its members. Sacramento Bee et al.
Opinion: More Charity Care Shows Need for Reform
The “growing burden” of the increasing amount of charity care offered by California hospitals counters the “illogical argument” that the “current system is working just fine,” argues an editorial. The editorial continues that the “growth in charity care” and the “ever-growing number of uninsured” show why legislators working on reform legislation should not believe “that the current system is satisfactory.” Modesto Bee.
In San Francisco, Pelosi Touts Research, Health Reform
On Monday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the billions of dollars for research into health information technology and other medical research from the federal stimulus package indicated a renewed commitment to scientific research by the federal government. She also advocated for passage of health reform legislation. San Francisco Business Times, San Francisco Chronicle.
August To Be Crucial for Health Reform Success, AHIP’s Ignagni Says
America’s Health Insurance Plans President and CEO Karen Ignagni said “health care reform is going to be won or lost in August.” She added that lawmakers should use the August recess to emphasize the need for health reform, not the “villainization” of insurers. AP/Boston Globe et al.
Debate Persists Over Care for Undocumented Immigrants
Some advocates have proposed expanding current health reform proposals to include the estimated 6.8 million uninsured undocumented immigrants, but so far opposition to the idea has prevented it from being written into current overhaul legislation. Immigration activists say it is immoral to deny care to seriously ill undocumented immigrants, but opponents say proposals on immigrant care could significantly increase health care costs. Los Angeles Times.
Prison Medical Receiver Plans To Cut Payments to Outside Hospitals
Federal receiver J. Clark Kelso’s plan to cut the rate the state pays outside hospitals to treat inmates could save California $50 million this year, but some say it would discourage hospitals from providing care that prison hospitals cannot. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Steinberg Files Lawsuit Against Governor, Seeks To Block Line-Item Cuts
Yesterday, Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg filed a lawsuit alleging that Gov. Schwarzenegger improperly used line-item vetoes to deepen funding cuts for health care and other services. Steinberg asked a judge to restore the funding. Sacramento Bee et al.