Latest California Healthline Stories
CMS Finds More Quality Problems in Inspection of UCI Medical Center
UC-Irvine Medical Center fell short of federal standards in six of 23 areas, according to an October CMS inspection. UCI officials said they had addressed all of the issues before they submitted a correction plan to the federal agency last week. Los Angeles Times.
Privacy Concerns Could Stall Obama’s Health IT Plans
President Barack Obama’s plan to expand the use of health information technology could be hindered by an ongoing dispute over how to protect the privacy of electronic health records. The health care industry and consumer groups have been unable to reach an agreement on privacy safeguards that would give patients control of the use of their health records. New York Times.
First 5 Riverside Unable To Rescind Controversial Grant
On Thursday, First 5 Riverside did not have enough voting members to rescind a controversial, $11.7 million grant to Riverside County’s Department of Mental Health or to extend an existing contract with the department. Four of the commission’s nine members recused themselves from the decision on rescinding the grant because of conflicts-of-interests. A majority of the commission’s voting members approved both actions, but their votes did not represent a majority of the entire commission. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Obama Hits on Health Care in Inauguration; Health Action Expected
President Obama included health care among the challenges that currently face Americans in his inaugural address yesterday. Obama is expected to sign legislation expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and use executive powers to expand funding for stem cell research. New York Times et al.
California Investigators Set To Visit Kaiser Call Centers as Part of Probe
The California Department of Managed Health Care will visit Kaiser Permanente’s three call centers this week as part of its probe into whether the health plan lets unlicensed workers make medical decisions that affect members’ access to care. Sacramento Bee.
Not-for-Profit Clinics Work Through Shortage of Workers
Many California not-for-profit clinics are struggling to find and retain qualified allied health professionals, forcing some clinics to hire personnel with more training at higher salaries. An increase in people seeking care at clinics as the economy worsens is exacerbating the situation. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Obama Pledges To Tackle Cost Hikes in Medicare, Social Security
President-elect Barack Obama said that steps must be taken to rein in rising costs for Medicare and Social Security as part of a larger effort to shore up the U.S. economy. Obama said overhauling Medicare would require work to address health care cost increases in general. Washington Post et al.
Aetna, UnitedHealth Reach Settlements Over Database
Under a settlement with New York state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Aetna has agreed to pay $20 million to a not-for-profit group for the creation of a new database to help determine fair out-of-network reimbursement rates. Earlier, UnitedHealth agreed to pay $50 million to fund the creation of the new database. In addition, UnitedHealth has agreed to pay $350 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by physician groups over out-of-network reimbursement rates. Bloomberg News/Long Island Newsday, Chicago Tribune.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of January 16, 2009
Tenet Healthcare said it will cease operations at Community Hospital in Los Gatos on April 10 because of capital improvement costs. Meanwhile, officials at St. Agnes Medical Center announced plans to cut more than two dozen jobs because of the declining economy.
Lawmakers Back San Joaquin County Veterans Facility
In a letter to outgoing Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary James Peake and VA Secretary-designate Eric Shinseki, Reps. Bob Filner and Jerry McNerney formally endorsed a proposal to build a new nursing home and medical facility for veterans in San Joaquin County. Stockton Record.