Latest California Healthline Stories
California Groups Win $3 Million for Medicare Outreach Initiatives
California groups’ awards are part of nearly $36 million in grants that CMS announced this week. The federal agency will provide more than $50 million for local efforts aimed at informing Medicare beneficiaries about their coverage options. Sacramento Business Journal, CMS release.
California Stem Cell Agency Funds Move First Drug to Clinical Trials
A scientist at UC-San Diego’s Moores Cancer Center used a $642,500 seed grant from California’s stem cell agency for research that helped develop a potential treatment for a rare blood disease. CIRM will award $3 billion in state funds over 10 years. San Diego Union-Tribune.
EHRs Raise Concerns About Health Information Privacy
The move to electronic health records is raising new concerns about the ability of unauthorized individuals to access patients’ personal health information, according to privacy experts. Washington Times.
Study: Results Mixed on Medi-Cal Pay Increase for Nursing Homes
A 2004 California law provided nursing homes with $590 million in additional Medi-Cal reimbursements. A new study found that spending on direct patient care has decreased and that nursing home earnings have increased since the pay hikes took effect. The nursing home industry and some officials said the study was premature. Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle.
Airport Health Clinics, Pharmacies Target Travelers
Pharmacies and walk-in health clinics offering a limited range of medical services and medications are popping up at airports around the world in the hope of capitalizing on the increasing number of travelers and airport employees who want access to primary health care and the ability to fill their prescriptions at the last minute. USA Today.
UCLA Medical Center To Face Sanctions After Patient Data Breaches
California health care regulators plan to sanction UCLA Medical Center after hospital staff improperly accessed records of more than 60 celebrities, politicians and other patients. Gov. Schwarzenegger said he will push for new privacy protections. New York Times et al.
Panel Moves To Restore Budget for California Chiropractic Board
The California Legislature in 2007 cut the chiropractic board’s budget in half because of state rules violations, but lawmakers are working to restore the board’s full $3 million budget after taking steps to tighten state oversight. Sacramento Bee.
U.S. To Increase Medicare Advantage Payments
On Monday, the federal government announced it would increase payments to insurers participating in the Medicare Advantage program next year by 3.6%, a slight increase from last year’s 3.5% boost. CMS said the payment increase is slightly lower than the expected 3.7% growth increase for Medicare in 2009. AP/Houston Chronicle.
Elizabeth Edwards To Push Health Issues at Think Tank
Elizabeth Edwards, wife of former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, has taken a position as a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, where she will blog mostly about health policy. Edwards has criticized Republican contender Sen. John McCain’s health plan because, among other issues, it would not require coverage for cancer survivors such as herself and McCain. NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
Bill Targets Cancellations for Long-Term Care Policies
The Assembly Insurance Committee unanimously approved a bill that would require insurers to justify cancellations of long-term care insurance policies. Assembly member Lori Saldana (D-San Diego) said the bill would ensure equal long-term coverage for women, who are more likely to outlive their spouses. KPBS’ “KPBS News.”