Latest California Healthline Stories
California Becomes First State in Nation To Ban Use of Trans Fats
Cities have passed laws prohibiting restaurants from using artificial trans fats, but California is the first state to enact such a law. The ban takes effect in 2010 for restaurants and in 2011 for bakeries. Researchers say trans fats cause 50,000 premature heart attacks annually. New York Times et al.
Health Care Groups a Major Force in Budget Lobbying Efforts
Groups representing California physicians and hospitals are key players in coalitions lobbying lawmakers in Sacramento to avoid cuts to health care and other programs. Private hospital chains also are getting involved, helping to fund lobbying campaigns and contributing to a loan fund to help community clinics while Medi-Cal payments are on hold. Sacramento Bee, East Bay Business Times.
Health Care Reform News Around the Nation for the Week of July 28
An Alaska group has kicked off an effort to provide health insurance to employees of private, not-for-profit organizations. Meanwhile, insurers in Massachusetts have announced plans to cover retail health clinic visits, and a new Pennsylvania law requires coverage for autism treatments.
Inland Residents Dismayed Over End of House Calls
Some Inland residents with chronic illnesses say they will require hospitalization now that a temporary federal doctors’ house call program has ended. CMS said it ended the three-year pilot because it did not meet savings projections. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
House Approves Rule To Delay Action on Bush Medicare Savings Plan
The rule targeted a provision of the 2003 Medicare law that would have required Congress to act on a Medicare savings plan offered by President Bush. The savings plan arises from a separate provision of a Medicare law that is triggered based on Medicare funding levels. AP/Arizona Daily Star et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of July 25, 2008
Tenet Healthcare announced that it would not renew its lease to operate Community Hospital of Los Gatos, and Simi Valley Hospital began demolition of part of its hospital facility. Meanwhile, St. Agnes Medical Center won approval to resume cardiac surgeries.
Clinics Warn of Cutbacks in Face of Medi-Cal Payment Freeze
California’s emergency fund to cover Medi-Cal reimbursements for health care facilities lasted less than four weeks, prompting state officials to suspend payments to health care institutions until a state budget is passed. Clinics warn that services could be eliminated and hours could be cut. Modesto Bee et al.