Latest California Healthline Stories
Philanthropist Donates $75M for Stanford Stem Cell Center
Lorry Lokey, a philanthropist and founder of Business Wire, is donating $75 million to help the Stanford University School of Medicine build what could be the country’s largest stem cell research center. School officials say Lokey is the lead contributor for the $200 million stem cell research center. The center is expected to be complete in the summer of 2010. San Francisco Chronicle.
Bush Signs $700B Bailout Bill With Mental Health Provisions
On Friday, President Bush signed into law a $700 billion financial bailout package that includes mental health parity provisions. The mental health legislation was added to the larger bailout package in an effort to entice House members who voted against the previous bailout measure but supported a parity bill. New York Times et al.
Medicare Changes Lead to Payment Delays for California Physicians
Medicare’s transition to a national provider identifier and its move to a new claims processor have led to physician reimbursement delays. In response to the delayed reimbursements, some California doctors have begun turning away new Medicare patients. Ventura County Star.
State Cuts Funding to Nursing Home Ombudsman Programs
When Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the state budget, he cut state funding from local ombudsman programs that investigate nursing home complaints. Officials with local nursing home ombudsman programs said they were caught off guard by the cuts. Santa Cruz Sentinel, Eureka Reporter.
Health Care Reform News Around the Nation for the Week of Oct. 6
Last week, CMS agreed to grant Massachusetts a three-year, $10.6 billion Medicaid waiver that will allow the state to continue its health insurance law. Meanwhile, a court ruled that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich cannot expand the state’s FamilyCare program without approval from lawmakers.
Governor Signs Bill To Inform Patients of End-of-Life Options
Last week, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill (AB 2747) by Assembly member Patty Berg (D-Eureka) that requires physicians to inform patients with terminal illnesses about their end-of-life options. Eureka Reporter.
Investigation: Nurses Keep State Licenses Despite Convictions
An investigation by the Los Angeles Times and ProPublica found that nurses with criminal records, ranging from petty theft to attempted murder, remained fully licensed to practice in California for years before the state’s nursing board took action. Los Angeles Times.
Health Insurers Improve in Some Areas in 2007, Report Finds
For the ninth straight year, health plans’ quality of care improved in 2007, according to a new study. Commercial health plans showed improvement in 44 of 54 measures, while private Medicare plans showed improvement in 24 of 45 measures. Salt Lake Tribune, CQ HealthBeat.
Prop. 4 Supporter Defends Parental Notification Measure
In an opinion piece, Margaret Pearson, communications director for the Yes on Four campaign, urged California residents to vote in favor of Proposition 4, which would require parental notification for minors seeking an abortion. She writes, “The elements of Proposition 4 are just good common sense, and it in no way infringes on a girl’s right to an abortion.” Los Angeles Times.
Palo Alto-Based Group Gets Grant To Target Hepatitis C
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases awarded a $305,000 grant to Palo Alto-based StemCells to research and develop a potential cell-based therapy for liver disease resulting from hepatitis C infection. Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal.