Latest California Healthline Stories
Spending on Diabetes Treatments Surpasses $12 Billion in 2007
Research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that spending on diabetes medications almost doubled from 2001 to 2007, standing at about $12.5 billion. The study found that the average cost of diabetes medications increased to $76 in 2007 from $56 in 2001. Bloomberg/Boston Globe, AP/Houston Chronicle.
California Farmers Struggle With High Health Care Costs
California farmers are struggling with the high cost of health insurance. A recent Access Project survey found that farmers pay twice as much for health care than non-farmers in part because of the way the individual health insurance market works. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Insurance Chief Rejects 16% Workers’ Comp Rate Increase
Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner rejected the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau’s recommendation to increase the workers’ compensation insurance rate by 16% beginning in January. Poizner did accept 5% rate increase to address higher medical and claims adjustment costs. San Francisco Business Times.
Voters Consider Parental Notification Measure
California voters have rejected two previous attempts to require parental notification for minors seeking an abortion, but a recent poll found that Proposition 4, this year’s parental notification ballot initiative, is gaining ground. Meanwhile, opponents of Proposition 4 and Proposition 8, the proposed ban on same-sex marriage, are teaming up because organizers believe the dual message will have a greater appeal. San Diego Union-Tribune, Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Catholic Healthcare West CEO Discusses Health Care Issues
In a San Francisco Chronicle Q&A, Catholic Healthcare West CEO Lloyd Dean discusses the economy and presidential election’s potential effects on health care. San Francisco Chronicle.
California Regulators Gear Up for New Hospital Infection Control Effort
The California Hospital Association is working with the Department of Public Health to develop standards that will be used to measure how well hospitals’ infection-control policies are working. The legislation setting up the rules takes effect next year. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Patient Numbers Up at Sacramento County Clinics But Funds Drop
Sacramento County has cut funding for health clinics this year because of drops in tax revenue and funding from the state and federal governments. The situation has increased attention to health care in the Sacramento mayoral race. Sacramento Bee, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Hospitals Look to Hallways To Ease ED Overcrowding
Some hospitals nationwide are putting patients in hospital hallways to ease emergency department overcrowding. A recent study found that moving patients to hallways when they were ready for admission did not cause any harm. AP/Los Angeles Daily News.
Medicare Planning New Action on Commissions for Managed Care Plans
Last week, California Rep. Pete Stark voiced concerns about the potential for insurance agents to increase their commissions by encouraging beneficiaries to switch Medicare Advantage plans unnecessarily. The letter sparked CMS to announce plans for new regulations barring the practice. AP/Miami Herald.
Budget Could Create Obstacles for Candidates’ Health Plans
Both Sens. Barack Obama’s and John McCain’s plans to provide health insurance to the nearly 46 million uninsured U.S. residents likely would face obstacles stemming from the growing federal budget deficit. Meanwhile, businesses are concerned that Obama’s plan might require medium and large employers to contribute up to 6% of their payrolls to health care benefits for their employees. Wall Street Journal, New York Times.