Latest California Healthline Stories
Funding Cuts, Grants Head to L.A.-Area in Budget
A memo from county Chief Executive Bill Fujioka shows that Los Angeles County will lose $33 million in state Medi-Cal funds and $10 million in Medi-Cal funds under the state budget that Gov. Schwarzenegger signed on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the governor signed legislation on Thursday that provides $500,000 to help an L.A. hospital cover the cost of treating more uninsured patients since Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital ended inpatient services. Los Angeles Daily News, Los Angeles Times.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of Sept. 26, 2008
Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage became the second hospital in the state this year to withdraw from its Medi-Cal contract. Meanwhile, San Joaquin General Hospital in Stockton reported a smaller loss for the year than consultants had expected.
Stem Cell Agency Lays Plans for Biotech Loan Program
On Thursday, the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine signed off on the framework of a plan that would provide up to $500 million in loans to biotechnology firms and research institutions. More details will be added to the proposal as outside input is collected. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Medicare Drug Benefit Premiums Set To Jump by 24% in 2009
A report by Avalere Health projects that monthly premiums for stand-alone Medicare drug plans will average $37 next year, a 24% increase from 2008. Acting CMS Administrator Kerry Weems said that the projection still falls below estimated costs used when the drug benefit launched. Wall Street Journal et al.
Support for Parental Notification Measure Grows
A Field Poll released on Thursday showed that 49% of respondents support Proposition 4, which would create a 48-hour waiting period and require a parent or guardian to be notified before a teenager could undergo an abortion. Meanwhile, the Orange County Register urged voters to support the measure. Sacramento Bee et al.
Schwarzenegger Signs Bills To Increase State Oversight of EMTs
Gov. Schwarzenegger OK’d a bill that will set up a centralized state registry of emergency medical technicians and require all EMTs in California to undergo criminal background checks. EMTs also will have to be licensed in the county where they work. Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal.
Philip Morris Challenges San Francisco Tobacco Law
On Wednesday, Philip Morris filed a lawsuit in federal court arguing that a San Francisco law that will ban tobacco sales in pharmacies is unconstitutional. Pharmacy chain Walgreen also has challenged the law, which is scheduled to take effect on Wednesday. San Francisco Chronicle.
Brand-Name Drugs More Popular in Medicare Part D
Medicare beneficiaries are more likely to request generic drugs if they are paying for the medications out of pocket but still request brand-name drugs when coverage from the drug benefit applies, according to a study by Medco Health Solutions. Brand-name medications accounted for almost two-thirds of all prescriptions initially filled by Medicare beneficiaries. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
New California Laws Aim To Tackle Hospital Infections
After vetoing a similar measure in 2004, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed legislation that will require hospitals to beef up efforts to prevent hospital-acquired infections. Another bill that won the governor’s signature will require hospitals to report infection rates to the state and screen patients at high risk for bacterial infections within 24 hours of being admitted to a hospital. Fresno Bee, Los Angeles Times.
Medicare Funds in Limbo at UC-Irvine Medical Center After Report
The facility will remain under the supervision of the state Department of Public Health until charges laid out in a CMS report are cleared in an investigation next month. Hospital officials say that the problems have been resolved. Orange County Register, Los Angeles Times.