Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Care News From the Campaign Trail for the Week of June 13
The head of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners called on Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama to provide more details about their health care proposals. Meanwhile, Obama and McCain traded barbs over health care during campaign events this week.
AMA Considers Endorsing Undercover Patients
At a five-day meeting beginning Saturday, the American Medical Association will vote on whether to endorse hospitals’ and health clinics’ use of undercover patients to evaluate care. Some doctors oppose the idea, arguing that the practice could have negative consequences such as crowding already overcrowded emergency departments. AP/Contra Costa Times.
California Agencies Continue Hiring, Despite Budget Deficit
Many of the new hires in health care-related departments are intended to save money, bring in more revenue or meet federally mandated care standards. State officials said they do not have to freeze hiring to comply with Gov. Schwarzenegger’s order to rein in spending. Sacramento Bee.
Some Dentists Push Medical Credit Cards on Patients
California legal aid attorneys say they are seeing a rise in dental debt cases in which dentists urge low-income and elderly patients to apply for medical credit cards to cover treatments they cannot afford. Most patients say they were misled in applying for the cards, and others say they were charged for services they never received. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
Bill To Raise Doctors’ Medicare Payments Stalls in U.S. Senate
A Democratic proposal to delay a 10.6% Medicare pay cut for 18 months and instead increase payments by 1.1% failed to clear a procedural hurdle on Thursday. Republican senators are backing an alternative proposal that would cost less over five years. CQ Today et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of June 13, 2008
Ojai Valley Community Hospital will build a new, $1.5 million emergency department with upgraded services. Simi Valley Hospital is eliminating 26 jobs as part an effort to cut programs for outpatient therapy. In addition, Sutter Health is building a new medical center in Santa Rosa.