Latest California Healthline Stories
Coaches, Physicians Are Top Earners in UC System
Sports coaches and physicians receive the highest salaries at the University of California. Last year, 250,605 UC employees earned a total of $8.9 billion, according to a database of annual payroll through Dec. 31, 2007. Orange County Register.
Patients Torn Between Paying Housing or Medical Bills
The collapse of the housing market is forcing some U.S. residents to choose between paying their mortgage and paying their medical bills, while other patients are forgoing health care altogether. Illness was the main cause of 15% of Freddie Mac’s payment delinquencies in the first half of this year. Wall Street Journal.
Change in Policy at Pentagon Scales Back Veterans’ Benefits
Advocates for veterans maintain that the change in policy has resulted in a steep drop in benefits for veterans with disabilities. The Department of Defense maintains that the change is intended to provide a higher level of benefits for service members injured in combat, arguing that the change is consistent with a law Congress approved in January. Los Angeles Times.
Access Problems in Yuba, Sutter Counties Hit Newborns
Many women in Sutter and Yuba counties do not receive adequate prenatal care, a situation that compounds itself in health problems for their children. The counties have physician shortages, high poverty rates and widespread substance abuse problems. Sacramento Bee.
Payments To Medicare Advantage Plans Likely Will Be Cut in 2009
A Democratic Senate aide said that the administration of President-elect Barack Obama and the incoming Congress likely will take aim at federal payments to private Medicare Advantage plans. Democratic lawmakers say $15 billion of the federal payments are excessive. CQ HealthBeat, The Hill.
Vote on Merger of Health Care Unions Sparks Controversy in California
California health care workers represented by unions under the umbrella of the Service Employees International Union are being asked whether they would prefer to consolidate three locals. Leaders of the United Healthcare Workers-West oppose plans to merge the locals. Los Angeles Times.
Report: Psychiatric Solutions Facilities Put Patients at Risk
An investigation by ProPublica found a string of cases involving abuse and neglect at Psychiatric Solutions Inc. facilities, including Sierra Vista Hospital in Sacramento. Among private psychiatric hospitals in California, Sierra Vista had the highest rate of state and federal deficiencies — about eight times the state average. Los Angeles Times.
Studies Question Value of Private Medicare Plans
Private Medicare plans have increased the cost and complexity of the program without providing any evidence of improved care, according to a study by Mathematica Policy Research and a study by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission has recommended that Medicare Advantage plan payments gradually be reduced to the level of traditional Medicare. New York Times.
Wyden Pushes Health Care Reform Proposal
Sen. Ron Wyden and a bipartisan group of senators sent a letter to President-elect Barack Obama touting their health care reform proposal. Last week, Sens. Max Baucus and Edward Kennedy announced separate plans to introduce their own health care reform legislation. The Hill.
Bass Says California Needs Federal Stimulus Package
In an editorial, California Assembly Speaker Karen Bass argues that the federal government should provide a stimulus package to the state to “help prevent California’s economic output from slowing even further and contributing to a continuing downward cycle.” She adds, “Real economic assistance could also come from an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Program, or FMAP, the federal matching payment for California’s Medi-Cal program.” Sacramento Bee.