Latest California Healthline Stories
More Insurers Refuse Payment for Medical Errors at Hospitals
Some private health insurers plan to end hospital reimbursements for care resulting from certain “never events,” such as amputation mistakes. Industry watchers say insurers soon could stop paying for more common mishaps, a move Medicare has already announced. Wall Street Journal.
Mistrust May Hurt Blacks’ Participation in Research
A Johns Hopkins study found that blacks were more likely than whites to believe that their physicians might give them experimental drugs without their consent or try to recruit them for risky trials. The authors of the study said the trust issues could explain why blacks are less likely to enroll in clinical trials. Reuters et al.
Patients Waiting Longer for Emergency Care, Study Finds
A study in Health Affairs found that wait times at hospital emergency departments increased from 1997 to 2004 and showed disparities in care for women and racial and ethnic minorities. Waits were especially long for heart attack patients, with about 25% waiting over 50 minutes in 2004. USA Today et al.
Ruling on S.F. Health Care Plan Could Influence State Reform
Proponents of compromise health care reform legislation negotiated by Gov. Schwarzenegger and Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez are awaiting a decision by a federal court on the legality of a San Francisco law requiring businesses to provide health coverage or help pay for a health care access program. The statewide overhaul plan contains a similar employer mandate. Sacramento Bee et al.
Health Care Reform News Around the Nation: for the Week of Jan. 14
Massachusetts approves retail clinics, while Delaware considers efforts to increase enrollment in its version of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Other states continue efforts to expand health insurance coverage.
Grant Funds Telemedicine Expansion at UC-Davis
The telemedicine program at UC-Davis Children’s Hospital provides remote care to acutely ill and injured children in emergency departments in nonurban areas. The hospital’s program was the first of its kind in the country. Healthcare IT News.
Health Care Measures Could Come in Stimulus Package
Democratic members of Congress are considering funding increases for Medicaid as part of their economic stimulus package. However, the package could spark Republican opposition, raising serious obstacles to its passage. Wall Street Journal et al.
Managed Health Care Chief Noted for Work on Policy Cancellations
Cindy Ehnes, director of the Department of Managed Health Care, has drawn criticism and praise for her efforts to impose new regulations and penalties against insurers who rescind a policyholder’s coverage after they become sick. Los Angeles Times.
Health Care Cuts in Schwarzenegger Budget Proposal Draw Criticism
Health care advocates and legislators are poring over the details of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s spending plan for fiscal year 2008-2009, warning that some cuts to health care programs could undermine California’s safety net. Los Angeles Times et al.
Budget Challenges Loom for State Health Care Efforts
California is among the states considering major funding reductions for health care and other programs this year as they work to address significant budget deficits. Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York also are weighing their options for taking on budget gaps. Washington Post.