Latest California Healthline Stories
HealthGrades Launches Online Rx Drug Ratings Tool
HealthGrades announced today that it is launching a new online prescription drug information tool, which will allow consumers to access patient-supplied ratings on the efficacy and tolerance of drugs, as well as pricing and background data. HealthGrades already offers ratings of hospitals, physicians and nursing homes. Dow Jones.
Some UC Employees To Vote on Strike Authorization
Between May 17 and May 22, about 20,000 patient-care and service workers at UC facilities will vote on giving their contract negotiating team the ability to authorize a strike. The patient-care workers have been without a contract since September 2007, and the service workers have been without a contract since January. East Bay Business Times.
Ventura County Irons Out Details for 911 Fee Plan
The Ventura Council voted 6-1 to give residents a two-week window each year to change their 911 fee plan. Council member Neal Andrew’s proposal to allow residents to switch at any time of the year between the $1.49 monthly fee plan and the $17.88 per 911 call plan was rejected in a 4-3 vote. Ventura County Star.
UC System Should Take Over Troubled King-Harbor
Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said the “best hope for reopening” Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Medical Center “is a partnership between the University of California and Los Angeles County.” He added, “But for this to occur any time soon, the county must remove a number of roadblocks that stand in the way, and the University of California must show uncommon boldness in stepping into the breach.” Los Angeles Times.
Health Care Advocates Brace for Deeper Cuts in Revised Budget
The Schwarzenegger administration briefed health care advocates on Tuesday to warn them that cuts to Medi-Cal and other health care programs would remain in a revised budget proposal that Gov. Schwarzenegger will release today. Some advocates said they were alerted that the budget also would seek to tighten eligibility rules for Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
San Diego County Expands Access to Medical Program
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a plan to allow individuals with monthly incomes up to nearly $2,900 to enroll in the County Medical Services program. Advocacy groups had sued the county over what they maintained were excessive restrictions for qualifying for the program. KPBS’ “KPBS News.”
Medicare, Medicaid Cuts Not in Democrats’ Federal Budget Plan
Congressional Democrats announced a tentative deal for a $3.3 trillion budget agreement that omits Bush administration-proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. President Bush said the cuts could save nearly $200 billion over five years. New York Times et al.
Majority of Americans Used Rx Drugs To Treat Chronic Diseases in 2007
Three-fourths of seniors took medications to treat chronic diseases last year, according to a report by pharmacy benefit manager Medco Health Solutions. Hypertension and cholesterol medications were the most commonly prescribed treatments last year. AP/Houston Chronicle.
Editorial Supports S.F. Proposal for Retiree Costs
In an editorial, the San Francisco Chronicle said it recommends “a yes vote, with reluctance” on San Francisco’s Proposition B, which aims to address retiree-health liability. “The bad news about Proposition B is that it is more complicated and less effective than it could have been,” according to the editorial. San Francisco Chronicle.
Study Questions Impact of Pay for Performance on Safety Net Hospitals
A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association warns that hospitals that treat large percentages of low-income patients could lose out on financial bonuses from increasingly popular pay-for-performance efforts. Bloomberg News, Health Day/U.S. News & World Report.