Latest California Healthline Stories
Annual Federal Report Forecasts Medicare Funding Gap by 2019
Trustees expect the Medicare trust fund that covers hospital costs — called Part A — to spend more than it takes in this year and be exhausted by 2019. Meanwhile, the report challenges trustees’ assertion that premiums won’t increase in 2009 and 2010 for Medicare Part B, which cover outpatient care and doctors’ services. New York Times et al.
Chiropractic Board Violated State Laws, Audit Finds
The California Board of Chiropractic Examiners violated open-meeting and conflict-of-interest laws and failed to aggressively pursue consumer complaints, according to an audit released Tuesday. Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Times.
California Pharmacy Board Delays Deadline for Drug Tracking Law
Drug makers, wholesalers and pharmacies will get an extra two years to adopt technology to track prescription drugs from the point of manufacture through the supply chain. California is the only state to have approved such an extensive drug identification law. New York Times et al.
California Nurses Union Approves New UC Contract
On Monday, the California Nurses Association announced that registered nurses at University of California medical centers have approved a new three-year contract. The new contract includes patient safety improvements and settles disputes over pension and retirement health care benefits, according to the union. San Francisco Business Times.
Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo Receives Nearly $4M
Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo, a private, not-for-profit that provides primary care services to residents in Imperial and Riverside counties, has received $3,925,000 in capital from UnitedHealth Group and its PacifiCare of California subsidiary. The funding is party of UnitedHealth Group’s California Health Care Investment Program. State College Centre Daily Times.
California Doctors, Insurers Mount Efforts To Combat Obesity
Toolkits being distributed to physicians do not contain new information but recommend that patients eat sensibly and exercise. The initiative comes two years after Gov. Schwarzenegger convened a summit urging action against obesity. Sacramento Bee.
New Research Fuels Debate Over California Nurse Staffing Rules
A study conducted by the California Nursing Outcomes Coalition found that a landmark 2004 law succeeded in reducing the number of patients that each registered nurse treated but found no significant change in the number of patient falls or bed sores. Sacramento Business Journal.
Electronic Drug Tracking System Could Be Put on Hold in California
A state law requires drug companies, pharmacies, hospitals and other providers that come in contact with prescription drugs to install electronic readers to track medications. Health care industry leaders are asking the pharmacy board to extend the deadline to 2011. USA Today et al.
San Diego’s Cardiac Response System Streamlines Care
Since the launch of a new cardiac response system in January 2007, the time it takes to provide lifesaving care to heart attack patients in San Diego was cut in half, officials said Friday. About 330 patients benefited from the Cardiac System of Care program in 2007, according to the medical director of the county’s Emergency Medical Services. San Diego Union-Tribune.
U.S. Supreme Court Declines Challenge To Retiree Benefits Rule
A lawsuit brought by AARP sought to overturn a federal rule that permits employers to reduce health care benefits for retirees once they reach age 65 and become eligible for Medicare. AARP argued that the rule amounts to age discrimination. AP/Philadelphia Inquirer et al.