Latest California Healthline Stories
Japanese Gang Members Got Liver Transplants at UCLA
A surgeon at UCLA Medical Center performed liver transplants on a Japanese gang boss, as well as three other men who are now barred from entering the U.S. because of their criminal records or suspected affiliation with Japanese organized crime groups, according to law enforcement officials. There is no evidence that UCLA or the surgeon was aware that any of the transplant patients had ties to Japanese crime organizations. Los Angeles Times.
Bush Would Veto Medicare Advantage Cuts, Leavitt Says
In a letter sent to Sen. Chuck Grassley last week, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said that President Bush’s senior advisers would recommend he veto any legislation that includes cuts to Medicare Advantage plans. Democrats and some Republicans favor making cuts to payments for MA plans to retain the current level of physician payments. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Bills on Minimum Health Benefits, Other Issues Pass in California Senate
California senators passed legislation that would set new minimum coverage standards for health plans, allow pharmacies to share patients’ prescription information with third-party businesses and require hospitals to report drug-resistant infections. KPBS’ “KPBS News,” San Francisco Chronicle.
Health Care News From the Campaign Trail for the Week of May 30
Advocates have raised questions about what role candidates’ positions on abortion rights will play in the election. Meanwhile, Sen. Barack Obama said expanding health insurance coverage would be an early priority, and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton pledged to boost health care for American Indians.
Journalists Get Poor Marks on Medical News Reporting
Gary Schwitzer, a University of Minnesota professor, and his team of researchers found that many journalists do a poor job of reporting about new health treatments and interventions. Schwitzer said poor medical reporting could result in consumers receiving bad information that could potentially harm them. Minnesota Public Radio.
California Senate Again Rejects $7B Plan for New Prison Health Facilities
The court-appointed receiver for prison health care raised the possibility of seeking a court order for the funds. Under that scenario, the money would come from California’s general fund, rather than bonds, and further increase the state budget deficit. Los Angeles Times et al.
Health Agency Offers Online Hospital Information Tool
The Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development has launched a new Web-based tool that lets users access financial and utilization information about hospitals in the state and create patient origin and market share maps. Information in the California Healthcare Tool is based on 68 million patient records. Sacramento Business Journal.
UCSF Creates Task Force To Boost Security of Patient Data
In response to two recent security breaches involving patient data, UC-San Francisco Chancellor J. Michael Bishop has created a task force to review and improve security practices. The group will review security practices nationally and develop a plan to provide timely notice about breaches. San Francisco Chronicle.