Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Care Projects Boost State’s Construction Industry
Despite the economic downturn, health care construction projects in California are on the rise. Since 2003, health care construction projects in the state have more than doubled to $21.4 billion. The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development’s Facilities Development Division reports that there are 5,363 health care construction projects — either seismic upgrades or building replacements — in the plan review stage, in-between planning and construction, under construction or just recently completed. California Construction Link.
Cancer Mortality Rates Show Persistent Gap for Blacks, Whites
Data from the American Cancer Society indicate that the disparity in cancer deaths between blacks and whites is as wide as it was in 1981. The study found that the overall cancer death rate has dropped among all groups. USA Today.
Young Adults Make Up 29% of Uninsured U.S. Residents
Many young adults are uninsured because their age makes them feel invincible or because they cannot afford the expensive policies. In the past decade, more than two dozen states have approved laws that allow young adults to remain on their parents’ health plans longer. In addition, New York State Gov. David Paterson has proposed allowing New York residents ages 19 to 29 to be claimed as dependents on their parents’ plans. New York Times.
Obama Signs Stimulus Plan; More Than $11B Expected for Medi-Cal
California Sen. Barbara Boxer estimates that California will receive as much as $78 billion from the economic stimulus package President Obama signed yesterday. California’s Medicaid program is projected to get $11.2 billion in additional federal funds through the bill. New York Times et al.
Doctors Criticize Zagat’s Online Physician Reviews
Doctors in California and other states are critical of an online system that WellPoint licensed from Zagat to review physicians, arguing that the system is not an effective way of assessing them. A New York Times editorial supports the use of Zagat’s online physician rating service. New York Times.
Insurers Face Questions Over Rates for Safety-Net Plans
A Los Angeles Times investigation found that premiums for Blue Shield of California and Anthem Blue Cross of California exceed the figure state regulators have used as a limit for some safety-net policies. Blue Shield defended its premiums. California regulators said they had not reviewed premiums for the plans in years. Los Angeles Times.
Cigna Agrees To Stop Using Reimbursement Database
On Tuesday, New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced that Cigna has agreed to stop using a faulty database to calculate reimbursement rates for patients who seek out-of-network medical services and that the health insurer will contribute $10 million to a new independent payment database. AP/New York Times.
Vote on Tax Hikes in California Budget Falls Short, Talks Continue
The California Senate still lacks one vote to approve tax hikes that are part of a proposal to close the budget gap. If approved, the package would trigger a special election in May to consider proposals to shift money from special funds for mental health care and children’s health care and education. San Jose Mercury News et al.
1 in 4 California Teen Girls Received Gardasil Vaccination in 2007
Researchers from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research found few differences in vaccination rates among adolescent girls but said that Hispanic and black women ages 18 to 26 had lower rates. Gardasil protects against four strains of the human papillomavirus. Los Angeles Times.
Open Spot at HHS Could Delay Health Care Reform
Health care advocates worry that the absence of an HHS secretary could hinder efforts to overhaul the U.S. health care system. President Obama has not put forward a new nominee since former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle withdrew. Washington Post.