Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Care Reform News Around the Nation for the Week of Oct. 27
Arizona voters are weighing in on a ballot measure that would amend the state constitution to ban laws that require people to get health insurance coverage, while Massachusetts officials voted to move forward with minimum requirements for the state’s health insurance law.
Analysis Projects State Budget Deficits; Medicaid Cuts Possible
Research from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities warns that states can expect to see a median decline in revenue of 5.5%. Analysts say state rules that require balanced budgets will set the stage for cuts in Medicaid spending, including physician reimbursements, possibly intensifying the effects of the economic downturn. Wall Street Journal.
Minority Physicians Tackle Health Care Disparities
At the Ethnic Physicians Leadership Summit last week in Anaheim, more than 100 physicians with ethnic backgrounds or whose work focuses on ethnic patients met to discuss ways to curb health care disparities. The summit was sponsored by the California Medical Association Foundation. New America Media.
Analysts Size Up State of Health Care Reform Nationally, in California
Health care stakeholders explained their takes on the health care proposals of Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama, as well as health care reform efforts under way in San Francisco, Santa Clara County and statewide in California. KQED’s “Health Dialogues.”
Survey: Half of U.S. Doctors Prescribe Placebos Regularly
A new study that found that half of all U.S. physicians surveyed reported regularly prescribing placebos to patients is raising concerns among medical ethicists. Physician surveys in Denmark, Britain, Sweden and New Zealand found similar results. New York Times.
Counties’ Flu Shot Clinics Test Emergency Preparedness
This week, San Joaquin and Ventura counties held flu vaccination clinics that doubled as emergency preparedness tests. The counties said the clinics demonstrated their ability to quickly distribute medicine during a potential health emergency. Stockton Record, Ventura County Star.
Government Role in Health Care Criticized by Advocate
Richard Ralston, executive director of Newport Beach-based Americans for Free Choice in Medicine, maintains that state and federal action in the health care system has driven up costs and set the stage for more litigation. Orange County Register.
Sen. Kennedy Crafting Bipartisan Bill Aimed at Universal Health Care
Sen. Edward Kennedy is reportedly holding private meetings with a wide array of health care stakeholders in hopes of introducing universal health care legislation early in the next congressional session. Aides say Kennedy’s ties to Sen. Barack Obama could benefit the effort if Obama is elected president. Washington Times.
Opinion Piece Calls for Evidence-Based Health Care
In an opinion piece, Billy Beane — a former major league baseball player and general manger of the Oakland Athletics — Sen. John Kerry and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich called for the use of evidence-based health care to improve the country’s health care system, citing baseball teams’ use of statistics as a possible model. New York Times.
California Representative Pushes New Medicare Advantage Regulations
Rep. Pete Stark is pushing CMS to limit new sales commissions on Medicare Advantage plans as part of an effort to deter insurance agents from encouraging Medicare beneficiaries to change plans often. Last month, CMS announced new rules governing MA marketing. CQ HealthBeat, Dow Jones.