Latest California Healthline Stories
Study: Immigration Will Not Help Medicare Finances
The growing number of working-age immigrants in the U.S. will fail to offset rapid growth in the number of adults age 65 and older, resulting in increased costs per worker for programs like Medicare and Social Security, according to a report from the Pew Hispanic Center. AP/Houston Chronicle, Chicago Tribune.
California Officials Brace for New Restrictions on Kids’ Health Enrollment
Despite uncertainties about long-term federal funding, California officials plan to continue enrollment in the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. President Bush and Congress have approved funding through March 2009. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
California Doctors Fight Blue Cross on Application Reviews
Blue Cross of California is sending doctors letters asking them to report pre-existing medical conditions that patients might have omitted from health insurance applications. The California Medical Association says the practice is illegal and could deter patients from sharing health conditions with doctors. CMA has asked state regulators to intervene. Los Angeles Times.
More Malpractice Claims Resolved by Arbitration
Many West Coast physicians have begun asking patients to sign binding arbitration agreements to settle medical malpractice claims. Proponents say the agreements are faster and less expensive than going to court, but opponents argue the system is overly secretive. Philadelphia Inquirer.
Emergency Departments Undergo Renovations To Address New Challenges
Hospitals in New York City are expanding emergency departments and offering targeted services as part of an effort to increase revenue and meet the demands of large numbers of uninsured patients seeking treatment, especially after other hospitals restrict services. New York Times.
State-Funded Stem Cell Research Slow to Yield Trials, Treatments
Despite providing billions of dollars in stem cell research funding, California and other states financing the efforts are unlikely to see therapies or other breakthroughs for years. The head of California’s stem cell agency does not expect clinical trials for a decade. Boston Globe.
Push To Fill Prescriptions Faster Can Add to Errors
A newspaper investigation found that pharmacy policies that emphasize speed and rely heavily on technicians, rather than pharmacists, can contribute to prescription drug errors. The analysis looked at alleged errors at Walgreens and CVS, which fill about one-third of prescriptions in the U.S. USA Today.
Medicare Provisions in Bush Budget Plan Draw Opposition in California
The California Hospital Association says that President Bush’s budget would cost hospitals in the state $8.8 billion over five years, while a former California Medical Association chief warns that pay cuts to doctors could push many to drop out of the program. Sacramento Business Journal.
Health Care Reform News Around the Nation for the Week of Feb. 11
Massachusetts legislative leaders are considering a higher cigarette tax to offset the rising cost of the state’s health insurance law. Meanwhile, higher-than-expected interest in Indiana’s coverage initiative has left officials facing a backlog of applications, and Wisconsin launches an overhaul of its children’s health programs.
Market-Based Health Care Preferable to Single Payer
A health policy analyst argues that California lawmakers should reject a proposed bill to establish a single-payer health care system and instead adopt a consumer-directed plan that would make insurance more affordable by forcing competition among insurers. Orange County Register.