Latest California Healthline Stories
WellPoint To Stop Paying for Preventable Medical Errors
On Wednesday, WellPoint announced that it will stop providing reimbursement payments to hospitals and physician for 11 preventable medical errors. Last year, CMS announced it would stop paying for certain medical mistakes, and other health insurers might follow suit. Indianapolis Star.
Economic Downturn Hits State Budgets, Affects Funding for Health Care
Rising health care and fuel costs are pushing up state budgets while state revenue is declining partly because of a fall in the real estate market. California’s budget deficit is among the largest, prompting proposals to cut health care spending. Christian Science Monitor.
Audit Demonstrates Conflict of Interest in VA Contract
A recent audit found that Diamond Bar-based QTC Management overcharged the Department of Veterans Affairs $6 million in a contract to conduct physical evaluations of veterans applying for disability benefits. Anthony Principi was president of QTC when he was appointed secretary of Veterans Affairs in 2001. Contra Costa Times.
Labor Union Kicks Off Series of Meetings on Health Care
Tomorrow, the Service Employees International Union’s United Healthcare Workers West will host the first of several statewide forums to discuss health care challenges and possible solutions. The 2008 Quality Care Forum will address the looming health care worker shortage, health care disparities and increasing access to uninsured and underinsured residents. SEIU-UHW press release/Yahoo! News.
Study Finds Wide Gap in Health Care Coverage Among Asian-Americans
New research indicates that Korean-Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are much more likely to be uninsured than other ethnic groups, including Japanese-Americans and Indian-Americans. A policy analyst said the trend is particularly acute in California. Sacramento Bee.
S.D. County Hospitals Expand Neonatal Units To Meet Rising Demand
At least four San Diego County medical centers are spending millions of dollars to add beds to their neonatal intensive care units in the face of a growing rate of premature births. About 11% of the county’s births were premature in 2005. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Groups Collaborate To Develop U.S. Standards for Physician Ratings
The standards will distinguish measures for quality of care and cost-effectiveness and will establish a process for doctors to challenge ratings. The plan calls for insurers to alert doctors before they are rated and explain the rating methodology to physicians. New York Times et al.
Lawmakers To Introduce Legislation To Target Autism
At the State Capitol today, lawmakers will unveil a comprehensive legislative package of eight bills designed to address issues related to autism. The legislative package is in response to a report released by the California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism. California Legislative Blue Ribbon Commission on Autism press release.
Blue Cross of California Changes Name to Anthem
Blue Cross of California has changed its name to Anthem Blue Cross. The health insurer has launched an advertisement campaign to publicize the new name to customers. Los Angeles Business.
Medical Office Space Still in High Demand in California
Despite a struggling market for general office facilities, demand for medical office space remains high. Last week, a 63,276-square-foot medical office building in Beverly Hills sold for nearly $55 million, or $869 a square foot — the highest ever for an office facility in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times.