Latest California Healthline Stories
Roche Offers $43.7B for Remaining Genentech Shares
On Monday, Roche Holdings announced that it is offering $43.7 billion, or $89 per share, to take over the remaining shares of San Francisco-based drugmaker Genentech. Roche already owns 55.9% of Genentech. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Ventura County Piloting Initiative Promoting New Advance Directives
Ventura County is one of seven regions in California testing a new approach to advance directives that has patients work with their doctors to specify their medical preferences for life-threatening situations. California lawmakers have approved a bill endorsing the idea. Ventura County Star.
‘Medical Home’ Model of Care Delivery Drawing Attention From Payers
The “medical home” model aims to provide patients more time with primary care physicians in hopes of reducing unnecessary tests and specialist visits while emphasizing preventive care and improving diagnoses. Pilot programs are underway in at least six states. New York Times.
Health Care Reform News Around the Nation for the Week of July 21
Kansas has launched a program aimed at preventing diabetes and improving management of the disease, while West Virginia reported that more than 11,000 Medicaid beneficiaries have enrolled in a program that encourages healthy behaviors.
S.F. Medical Centers Work To Diagnose Dementia Earlier
San Francisco-area medical centers are developing a variety of diagnostic programs for patients and caregivers in an effort to diagnose dementia earlier. For example, geriatric specialists at UCSF have unveiled plans to use Web sites, such as YouTube and Facebook, to educate people about the early warning signs of dementia. San Francisco Chronicle.
New Medical School at UC-Riverside Gets OK From University Regents
The University of California Board of Regents approved a plan to develop a medical school at UC-Riverside. The school will be the sixth medical school in the UC system and will mark the first public medical school in California in 40 years. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Big Savings Possible in Community Health Care Efforts, Research Finds
A report by the Trust for America’s Health found that community health programs could generate billions of dollars in savings for Medicare, Medicaid and private payers within five years. The report says diabetes and high blood pressure rates could drop by 5% within two years. Miami Herald et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of July 18, 2008
Kaiser Permanente announced plans to replace its Fontana hospital, while Loma Linda University is continuing work to open additional medical facilities in inland Southern California. Meanwhile, a VA hospital in Riverside began installing solar panels to provide electricity.
Insurance Industry To Target Consumers in New Campaign
On Tuesday, America’s Health Insurance Plans will launch a nationwide education campaign aimed at recruiting at least 100,000 consumers who are satisfied with their private health insurance. The massive outreach effort is intended to boost AHIP’s lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. Politico.
Doctors Co. Says Federal Investigation Has Ended
The Doctors Co. said that the U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles has decided not to proceed with a criminal investigation of the Napa-based medical malpractice insurer concerning the possible unauthorized pre-merger use of recently-acquired SCPIE Holdings’ computer system. San Francisco Business Times.