Latest California Healthline Stories
WellPoint Increases Bonuses for Gains in Patient Care
On Wednesday, WellPoint announced that it would increase employee bonuses by about 10% in recognition of improvements made in 17 of 20 clinical areas it set out to measure last year through its Member Health Index program. WellPoint is the parent company of Anthem BlueCross, formerly Blue Cross of California. AP/Chicago Tribune.
Opposition to Proposed Health Care Cuts Rises in California
A report projects that Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget cuts would result in larger increases in uninsured residents than previous studies have estimated. State officials countered that the report inflates expected increases in the uninsured. Health care stakeholders are gearing up for two months of rallies and media events to fight the budget plan. Los Angeles Times et al.
New Report Highlights Pneumonia Outcomes at California Hospitals
A new state report found that about one in eight pneumonia patients died within 30 days of being admitted to a hospital from 2003 to 2005. Researchers identified about the same number of hospitals as best and worst performers. Contra Costa Times, Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Report: Drug Industry Spent $168M on Lobbying in 2007
Last year, the pharmaceutical industry spent $168 million on lobbying — a 32% increase from 2006, according to a report from the Center for Public Integrity. The report also found that for the first time, the pharmaceutical and health products industry donated slightly more money to Democrats than Republicans. Wall Street Journal.
Lawmakers Must Find $7B for Prison Health Care Reform
An editorial urges Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Legislature to come up with $7 billion for the state’s “broken prison health care system,” or J. Clark Kelso, the court-appointed receiver for California’s prison health care system, will dip into the state’s general fund. The editorial states, “[T]hey’ve picked the wrong issue to play politics with this time.” San Francisco Chronicle.
Stem Cell Researchers To Discuss Effects on Aging
A conference at UCLA on Friday will convene to discuss the ramifications of regenerative medicine for aging research. The program is sponsored by the Methuselah Foundation. KPCC’s “Air Talk.”
Governor Vows To Continue Fight for Health Care Reform
Gov. Schwarzenegger told the Catholic Health Association’s national convention that he would do whatever is necessary to pass legislation to provide health care coverage for most Californians, arguing that states cannot afford to wait for a federal response. He said the only way to achieve reform “is through shared responsibility.” San Diego Union-Tribune, Catholic News Service.
Study: Hospitals’ Wireless Tracking Systems Pose Risks
The use of wireless tracking systems in hospitals can interfere with medical equipment such as respirators, external pacemakers and kidney dialysis machines, according to a study published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
House Approves Measure To Postpone Cuts in Medicare Pay to Doctors
Medicare physician payments are scheduled to be reduced by more than 10% on July 1. House lawmakers approved a measure yesterday that would delay the cuts for 18 months, but questions linger over whether there is adequate support in the Senate to pass the bill. Washington Post et al.
House Delays Medicare Competitive Bidding Program
On Tuesday, the House approved a measure that would delay the launch of Medicare’s competitive bidding on medical equipment for 18 months. According to an editorial, “This backtracking inevitably makes one wonder if major reform will ever be possible in a medical marketplace dominated by imperfect government bureaucracies and private lobbyists bent on resisting governmental reforms.” New York Times.