Latest California Healthline Stories
States, Congress Focus Health Efforts on Small Businesses
States have launched a variety of efforts designed to help small business owners and their employees who face challenges buying health insurance. Meanwhile, Congress is considering a bill that would make it easier for small employers to organize insurance-buying pools. New York Times.
U.S. Partners With Australia, Europe on Drug Inspections
Yesterday, Bush administration officials announced that the U.S. is partnering with Europe and Australia to coordinate inspections of and share information about foreign facilities in countries such as China and India that are producing a growing share of the active ingredients in medications. AP/Los Angeles Times.
Senate Sends Bill With Medicare Pay Fix for Doctors to President
The legislation would halt a 10.6% cut to Medicare physician payments that was scheduled to take effect on July 1. The bill seeks to fund the change in Medicare provider reimbursements by reducing payments to Medicare Advantage plans. The White House has said the bill would be vetoed, but both the House and the Senate approved the measure with veto-proof majorities. AP/Baltimore Sun et al.
NPR Series Features Health Care in Western Europe
NPR’s “Morning Edition” is broadcasting a series comparing health care in Western Europe with the U.S. health care system. The program highlights health care in Germany, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
Senate Calls for Health Plan Fund for Fishing Industry
On Monday, the California Senate approved a resolution by Sen. Patricia Wiggins urging federal lawmakers to pass the Commercial Fishing Industry Health Care Coverage Act of 2008 that would create a health insurance fund for fishing men and women and their families. Eureka Reporter.
More U.S. Physicians Adopt E-Prescribing Technology
An increasing number of physicians are using electronic prescribing technology to reduce errors, according to an article in the New England Journal of Medicine. However, there still are some limitations to adopting e-prescribing technology, including start-up costs and DEA restrictions on e-prescribing of controlled substances. Newark Star-Ledger.
California Could Save $1B Annually in Health Treatment, Report Finds
The California Public Interest Research Group reviewed the treatments given to Medicare beneficiaries with chronic illnesses and found that costs could be cut dramatically by eliminating unnecessary tests, prescribing more generic drugs and following best practices. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Bills on Electronic Tracking of Medications Draw Fire in California
One measure would require use of electronic pedigrees for prescription drugs throughout the supply chain, but a state agency is pushing amendments to push back the deadline and exempt some stakeholders. A separate measure calls for further study of e-pedigrees. Capitol Weekly.
Universal Health Care Coverage Legislation Introduced in House
The measure is a companion bill to a proposal by Sens. Ron Wyden and Bob Bennett that seeks to move away from an employer-based health insurance system to a model where individuals would buy coverage through state purchasing pools. Both measures have bipartisan support. Salt Lake Tribune.
Assembly Panel OKs Budget Plan That Restores Health Care Cuts
Democrats crafted a proposal that would avoid $1.5 billion in cuts to health care and welfare programs proposed by Gov. Schwarzenegger, in part by raising taxes on high-income Californians. Republican lawmakers have pledged to oppose a budget proposal that includes tax hikes. California’s new fiscal year began July 1. San Diego Union-Tribune et al.