Latest California Healthline Stories
Action Must Be Taken To End Health Care Disparities
Ending health care disparities will take more than awareness, as the differences in provided care “stem from systemic issues as much as socioeconomic factors and lifestyle behaviors that some pundits quickly cite,” according to an editorial. Contra Costa Times.
New York Attorney General Expands Fraud Investigation
On Thursday, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said he issued new subpoenas to several health insurers as part of an ongoing fraud investigation. Last month, Cuomo announced that he would investigate whether insurers were using UnitedHealth Group-owned Ingenix to set unjustifiably low reimbursement rates for customers, which results in higher out-of-pocket costs for plan members seeking out-of-network care. AP/Houston Chronicle.
Fourth VA Clinic Under Consideration for San Diego County
The Department of Veterans Affairs has pledged to build a third clinic between Oceanside and Escondido by 2010, but a fourth clinic could open in the northern part of the county as early as 2013 because of dramatic increases in patients seeking treatment. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Health Care News From the Campaign Trail for the Week of March 7
Newspapers expect health care to have a larger role in the general election for president as the Democratic candidate faces off against Republican Sen. John McCain. Efforts to contain increasing medical costs are expected to be a key aspect of the debate.
Study: Iraq, Afghanistan Veterans Face Record Mental Health Problems
A study by the Army Surgeon General’s Office found that 15% to 20% of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan exhibit signs of past-traumatic stress disorder or depression and that those percentages are higher among soldiers who complete three or four deployments. USA Today et al.
California Faces Hurdles as More State Mental Institutions Close
Since 1969, the state has closed five of its 12 mental institutions, and one more is expected to close this year. Mental health advocates and relatives of residents at the facilities have raised concerns about transferring residents to other facilities. Los Angeles Times.