Latest California Healthline Stories
Medi-Cal Pay Freeze Pushes Clinics To Close, Cut Hours
A not-for-profit group operating clinics in San Diego and Riverside counties is believed to be the first clinic operator in the state to move toward closing clinics and scaling back operations until Medi-Cal payments resume when a state budget is passed. On Tuesday, a Republican budget plan was rejected in the Assembly, a day after the Senate defeated it. San Diego Union-Tribune, Sacramento Bee.
Only 2% of Medical Students Plan To Pursue Primary Care Practices
The percentage of medical students aiming to pursue careers in general internal medicine is declining as the elderly population — which heavily relies on such physicians — is increasing, according to a survey published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. USA Today, AP/Boston Globe.
Anthem Blue Cross Goes Forward With Hospital Deal Over Rescissions
Catholic Healthcare West, St. Joseph’s Health System and Sutter Health have opted out of a settlement over bills that Anthem Blue Cross refused to pay after rescinding members’ coverage. The chains represent 74 of a potential 400 hospitals covered under the deal. Sacramento Business Journal.
Camarillo Mayor Argues Against Prison Hospital
The Camarillo City Council opposes the proposed plan to convert the California Youth Authority site into a state adult prison hospital, Camarillo Mayor Charlotte Craven writes in an opinion piece. However, she adds that “the Camarillo City Council is not the decision-maker in this issue.” Ventura County Star.
S.F. Ban on Tobacco Sales in Pharmacies Draws Court Challenge
Walgreens is seeking to block the ordinance from taking effect on Oct. 1, arguing that the law is unfair because it bans tobacco sales in chain pharmacies but does not address tobacco sales in grocery stores or other big-box retailers that include pharmacies. San Francisco Chronicle.
Suicide Rate for Young, Male Veterans Hits Record High
Statistics scheduled to be released today by the Department of Veterans Affairs show that suicide rates for young male Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans reached a record high in 2006. The VA records show that there were about 46 suicides per 100,000 male veterans ages 18 to 29 who use VA services, compared with about 20 suicides per 100,000 non-veteran males ages 18 to 29. USA Today.
Antitrust Waiting Period for CVS’ Acquisition of Longs Ends
CVS Caremark and Longs Drugstores announced that the waiting period, required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, for CVS’ acquisition of Longs ended on Friday. In August, Longs agreed to be acquired by CVS for $2.7 billion. East Bay Business Times.
California Legislature Approves Elements of Health Care Overhaul
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s health care reform proposal didn’t make it out of the Legislature, but bills dealing with health insurance rescissions, balance billing and single-payer health care did make it to the governor’s desk. KQED’s “The California Report.”
Professor Raises Concerns About ‘Pension Spiking’
The practice of “pension spiking” has “saddled state and local governments with serious fiscal problems,” Gary Galles, professor of economics at Pepperdine University, writes in an opinion piece. He adds, “Dramatically accelerating what taxpayers will be forced to pay in the future with little benefit to the public does not advance our general welfare.” San Francisco Chronicle.
Percentage of Americans With Job-Based Health Coverage Holds Steady
A new report by the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that the percentage of Americans with health insurance through their jobs did not change from 2006 to 2007 but warned that there could be a drop from 2007 to 2008 as a result of the economic downturn and other factors. Kansas City Star.