Latest California Healthline Stories
Consumers Say Benefits of Electronic Health Records Outweigh Risks
A Wall Street Journal Online/Harris Interactive poll found that 63% of adults believe electronic health records could reduce medical errors, and 55% think they could lower health care costs. However, 51% said EHRs could make it harder to ensure privacy. Wall Street Journal Online.
Criticism Mounts Over Stem Cell Agency’s Ethics, Rules
An editorial and opinion piece question the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine’s conduct and oversight following an alleged conflict-of-interest violation that recently surfaced. The incident occurred on the brink of a routine audit by the state. Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle.
CDC Reports Steady Levels of Adult Obesity Since 2003
A CDC study found about 33% of U.S. adult males and 35% of females were obese in 2005 and 2006, which was not a statistically significant change from a 2003 to 2004 survey. Researchers said obesity could be leveling off but that it remains a huge public health concern. Los Angeles Times et al.
California Biotech Drawing Criticism for Treatment Availability
Genentech is considering a plan to bar wholesalers from selling its drug for an eye condition to pharmacies that package it in smaller doses. Sen. Herb Kohl argues that such a move would cause the price of the drug to skyrocket for consumers. Bloomberg/New York Times, Contra Costa Times.
Clinton Faults Obama’s Health Care Proposal
The presidential campaigns for Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama are taking more pointed jabs at each other, with Clinton charging that Obama is falling short of the Democratic Party’s values by not insisting on universal coverage. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette et al.
Coverage Caps Leave Some Insured With High Bills
Increases in health insurers’ lifetime caps on coverage have not kept pace with rising medical costs and higher hospital bills, leaving some insured patients with massive hospital tabs. Hospitals say some bill padding is necessary to offset lower payments from insurers. Wall Street Journal.
Shasta County Alters Plan To Fill Mental Health Vacancies
After trying to recruit more psychiatrists for two years, Shasta County will attempt to fill the vacancies with nurse practitioners or physician assistants authorized to prescribe medications. The plan aims to reduce long wait times for patients to see mental health professionals. Redding Record Searchlight.
Assembly Member Faults Bush on Kids’ Insurance
Assembly member Mary Hayashi criticizes President Bush’s veto of legislation to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and raises questions about whether health care reform plans under consideration in California go far enough for kids. Oakland Tribune.
San Mateo County Looks to Hospital District for Funds
A San Mateo County supervisor has targeted the Sequoia Healthcare District’s local property tax revenue as a potential funding source for the county’s proposed health coverage expansion. A health care district official has raised concerns. Oakland Tribune.
State Workers’ Comp Insurer Will Not Hike Rates in 2008
The decision by the State Compensation Insurance Fund to maintain its current workers’ compensation rates will help small-business owners who were expecting the first premium increase in four years. California’s insurance commissioner likely will propose a rate increase this week. Sacramento Bee.