Latest California Healthline Stories
Comparative Effectiveness Plan Sparks Debate
The Obama administration plans to spend $1.1 billion over the next several years to study the effectiveness of competing treatments for common conditions. Supporters argue that comparative effectiveness studies could curb the widespread use of ineffective treatments and help to curb costs, but opponents warn that the plan could lead to adequate treatment and potentially health care rationing. New York Times.
Los Angeles, San Diego High on List for Doctor Wait Times
A survey from Merritt Hawkins & Associates indicates that Los Angeles and San Diego are among the U.S. cities where people must wait the longest to get appointments with a doctor. Boston had the longest wait times of all U.S. cities. HealthLeaders Media.
Research Shows Wide Gap in Health Based on Education Status in Calif.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released a report that found a 20-percentage point gap between the percentage of average Californians who reported being in suboptimal health and the percentage of the state’s most educated residents who said the same. San Francisco Chronicle.
Kaiser Gives $2M to UCLA Effort for Doctors Trained in Latin America
The International Medical Graduate Program at UCLA helps doctors trained in Latin America pass their U.S. licensing exams and places them in family residency programs in underserved communities throughout California. San Francisco Business Times, UPI.
Yolo County Delays Vote on Plan to Restrict County Health Services
Yolo County supervisors will wait until May 19 to vote on a proposal to eliminate county health care services for undocumented immigrants. They delayed acting on the plan to give county officials time to negotiate a deal with hospitals to help fund health clinics. Sacramento Bee.
Health Net’s Q1 2009 Profit Exceeds Analysts’ Estimates
Health Net reported a Q1 2009 net income of $22 million, compared with a $35.6 million loss in Q1 2008. Excluding one-time charges, the company reported earnings of 41 cents per share, higher than analysts’ estimate of 35 cents. The health plan’s profit came despite a decline in member enrollment. Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Business Times.
Obama Move on ‘Conscience Rule’ Motivates Opposition
The Obama administration has taken steps toward rescinding the so-called “conscience” rule, sparking opposition from religious conservatives. The rule lets health care workers decline to participate in abortion counseling, family planning services or other activities that are not consistent with their moral beliefs. Organizations that receive federal funding could not penalize the workers. San Francisco Chronicle.
H1N1 Influenza Overwhelms California Clinics, Labs
San Diego County’s health agency has been overwhelmed with samples and is unable to test most possible cases of H1N1 influenza. Meanwhile, KQED’s “California Report” included several segments on H1N1 in California and how local clinics are responding to the outbreak. San Diego Union-Tribune, KQED’s “California Report.”
Schwarzenegger Warns of More Budget Cuts if Propositions Fail
Gov. Schwarzenegger and his aides have begun detailing proposals to close the state budget gap if voters don’t approve a series of budget-related measures in a special election this month. One plan calls for shifting more than $2 billion from cities and counties to the state. Opponents of the measures say the governor is using “scare tactics.” KQED’s “Capital Notes” et al.
Federal Funds To Ease Cuts to Santa Clara County Services
Federal funding is expected to help reduce some planned cuts to Santa Clara County’s safety-net programs. The county’s chief executive’s 2010 spending plan includes some new protections for emergency psychiatric care and drug and alcohol treatment. In addition, the county will lay off fewer public health nurses. San Jose Mercury News.