Latest California Healthline Stories
Medicare Paying Higher Prices Than Individuals for Medical Equipment
Efforts in Congress to push for lower Medicare payments for medical devices and supplies meet stiff opposition from manufacturers and patients. In many cases, individuals pay lower prices at retail pharmacies or online stores for the products than Medicare pays. New York Times.
More Ex-Smokers Dying From Progressive Lung Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the fourth-leading cause of death in the U.S. but is often misdiagnosed and inadequately treated, doctors say. New York Times.
California Facilities Lead National Research Efforts To Advance Care
UC-Davis Regional Burn Center is coordinating a research project with facilities nationwide to improve care for burn survivors. Kaiser Permanente’s Oakland research division is leading a multi-state project on cardiovascular research. Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Business Times.
Medicare Agency Lists Poorest-Quality Nursing Homes on Web Site
The CMS list includes 54 nursing homes, including one in California, that received a special focus designation but failed to show improvement in areas such as administering residents’ medications and preventing accidents and infections. AP/Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Health Care Largely Absent From Most Recent GOP Debate
Although more than one-third of questions submitted for the CNN/YouTube debate dealt with health care, the eight Republican presidential candidates did not discuss their health care proposals in the debate. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Nurse Hiring, Raises Contribute to San Francisco Budget Deficit
The administration of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is projecting a $229 million budget deficit, brought on in part by major hiring increases and significant pay raises for unionized nurses and public safety personnel. The city Department of Public Health anticipates a $40 million cut for fiscal year 2008-2009. San Francisco Chronicle.