Latest California Healthline Stories
Audit: Victim Compensation Fund’s Payments Decreased
A state audit released Tuesday found that payments from the state victim compensation fund decreased 50% over a four-year period, while the program’s administrative expenses have increased. The program covers the cost of medical and dental care, mental health services and makes up lost wages for crime victims. Los Angeles Times, AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Republican Legislators Target Medi-Cal, Other Efforts for Cuts
Cuts to Medi-Cal, welfare, in-home support services and other programs will amount to about $11 billion in a budget proposal that Assembly Minority Leader Mike Villines said legislative Republicans would release next week. Villines said Republicans would push for concessions on other issues before they would consider revenue increases to close California’s budget gap. Sacramento Bee et al.
U.S. Legislative Leaders Float Plans to Rework Doctors’ Medicare Pay
In talks with President-elect Obama’s health care team, Senate and House leaders have raised the possibility of eliminating drugs administered by doctors from the formula used to calculate Medicare payments to physicians. Congress plans to pursue Medicare payments as part of a health care reform effort. CongressDaily.
Drug Safety Data Could Cause Unnecessary Alarm
Some medical professionals believe that too much drug safety information could overwhelm patients and raise undue concern. A Pfizer survey of 300 medical professionals found that 89% of respondents were at least somewhat concerned that patients might stop taking medications if potentially negative drug safety information was released too early to the public. Wall Street Journal.
Kaiser, St. Joseph Offer Grants to Health Advisory Group
Kaiser Permanente and St. Joseph Health System have offered $50,000 each to fund Health Action, a Sonoma County health advisory council. The group’s efforts include ensuring residents have access to primary care, encouraging access to healthy foods and curbing obesity. Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Waxman Renews Call for Medicine Advertising Limits
On Monday, House Energy and Commerce Chair Henry Waxman renewed his call to give FDA the ability to ban advertisements for certain drugs when they first reach the market and risks are not fully known. A similar effort in 2007 failed after some lawmakers argued that it would violate constitutional protections of free speech. Reuters.
Recession Could Underscore Challenges Facing Hospital EDs
The U.S. recession could drive up the number of uninsured patients seeking care in hospital emergency departments, exacerbating overcrowding problems and the challenges to hospitals’ bottom lines from uncompensated care. A new report from the American College of Emergency Physicians warns that the ED system is in “serious condition.” New York Times.
California Lawmakers Briefed on Budget Gap, Implications of Inaction
State fiscal leaders offered grim projections if lawmakers do not move swiftly to close the state budget deficit. The state Senate Republican leadership is targeting “waste, fraud and abuse” in health and social services programs before considering tax increases. San Jose Mercury News et al.
Sacramento County Ends Subsidy Program for Health Care Benefits
Sacramento County’s program that subsidized health benefits for small businesses shut down last month, leaving many employers to decide whether to continue providing the benefits. Twenty-four firms that participated already have dropped benefits for workers. Sacramento Business Journal.
State, Prison Health Care Receiver Face Off in Court
On Monday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments in the case between the state and California prison health care receiver J. Clark Kelso over a plan to spend $8 billion to build seven new health care facilities for prison inmates. California Attorney General Jerry Brown argued that a San Francisco federal judge violated the federal Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1996 and the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of state sovereignty when he ordered the governor and controller to provide a $250 million down payment for the project or risk being held in contempt. Sacramento Bee.