Latest California Healthline Stories
Insurers Push To Rein In Use of Costly Medical Scans
WellPoint, Aetna and Cigna are among the health insurers that have contracted with radiology benefit managers as part of an effort to use MRIs and CT and PET scans only when it is clear that patients will benefit from the test. Doctors say the new process can delay care for patients and raises other hurdles. Wall Street Journal.
Speculation Abounds Over Obama Picks for HHS, FDA
Democratic operatives have begun floating ideas for new leaders of HHS and FDA in the Obama administration, sparking discussion of how much opposition some potential appointees would spark from the drug industry. Wall Street Journal‘s “Washington Wire.”
Economy Expected To Trump Health Care Early in Obama Term
Efforts to re-energize the nation’s economy likely will take precedence over large-scale efforts to overhaul the health care system in the early days of President-elect Barack Obama’s administration. Funding challenges for Medicare and Medicaid also will take a toll on health care reform efforts. Arizona Republic et al.
Voters OK Bonds for Kids’ Hospitals, Reject Parental Notification
California voters approved a ballot measure that will issue about $1 billion in state bonds to fund construction at children’s hospitals and rejected a measure that would have required minors to notify a parent before undergoing an abortion. Los Angeles Times et al.
Health Insurers Prepare for Changes to Business Stemming From Election
Health insurers are moving into a sector that administers Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Program benefits for states in hopes of winning new business if Congress and President-elect Barack Obama succeed in expanding eligibility for the programs. Wall Street Journal.
Investment Losses, Rising Unemployment Hurt Kaiser in Q3
Kaiser Permanente’s not-for-profit health plan and hospital subsidiaries lost almost $400 million in the third quarter, in large part because of more than $700 million in investment losses. Kaiser officials said rising unemployment was contributing to a drop in its membership. San Francisco Business Times.
Researchers Make Advance in Genetic Study on Cancer
For the first time, scientists have decoded a cancer patient’s genes and identified a series of gene mutations that might contribute to the disease. The lead researcher in the study said it could lead to important advances in personalized treatments. New York Times.
Democratic Leaders in Congress Plan To Return to Health Efforts
Tuesday’s election gave Democrats larger majorities in both houses of Congress, setting the stage for the resurrection of health-related measures that failed during the Bush administration. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is aiming to push through an economic stimulus package that would increase funds for Medicaid and expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. CongressDaily et al.
King-Harbor a Priority for New L.A. County Supervisor
As a newly elected Los Angeles County supervisor, Mark Ridley-Thomas has pledged to re-open Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital by January 2010. The facility eliminated inpatient services in August 2007 after it failed a CMS inspection. Los Angeles Times.
Washington State Voters OK Assisted Suicide Measure
Washington became the second state in the nation to legally permit physicians to prescribe lethal doses of medications to terminally ill patients. Similar efforts in California have not won approval. AP/Seattle Times.