Latest California Healthline Stories
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of May 30, 2008
Scaled-back services at a public hospital are fueling a secession movement in Needles. Federal regulators have filed an employment discrimination lawsuit against John Muir Health, and nurses at St. Agnes Medical Center have rejected a bid to be represented by the California Nurses Association.
Rankings Show Wide Variations in End-of-Life Hospital Care
A new Consumer Reports ranking system indicates that Bay Area hospitals provided less aggressive care to patients toward the end of their lives than hospitals in the Los Angeles area. The data show that Santa Barbara facilities provided the most conservative care in California. San Francisco Chronicle, Sacramento Bee.
Residents of South Los Angeles Face Obstacles Accessing Health Care
Hospitals and clinics in South Los Angeles are struggling to remain financially viable, and a number of facilities have closed or reduced services as a result. Experts say the closings are weakening the area’s health care system and leaving many residents vulnerable. Los Angeles Times.
Eye Doctors Compromise on Practice Issues
Organizations representing optometrists and ophthalmologists reached a compromise this week on a set of scope-of-practice issues. Under the agreement, optometrists are able to diagnose and treat glaucoma, eye inflammation and other disorders, as well as offer topical treatments and develop treatment plans for patients. However, they have little or no ability to perform injections or minor surgery. Capitol Weekly.
Aetna, Cigna Most Efficient Health Insurers, Study Finds
Aetna ranked first among more than 130 large health plans in how quickly and accurately it reimburses physicians, according to new rankings expected to be released today. Aetna took 27 days on average to pay physicians, resolved 96% of claims on the first try and denied 5.9% of claims. Cigna ranked second overall, while New York’s Medicaid program scored the lowest among all health insurers. Wall Street Journal.
Consumers Union To Launch Online Hospital Ratings
The not-for-profit Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports magazine, is launching a new online hospital ratings service. Consumers Union already offers ratings of health insurance plans, drugs and certain medical treatments and might later assess physician groups and elder care. Wall Street Journal.