Latest California Healthline Stories
Governor Vetoes Bills To Expand EMT Oversight, Family Sick Leave
Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed a measure to increase statewide oversight of emergency medical technicians because it would limit local investigations. The governor also vetoed three bills seeking to expand family sick leave laws. Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle.
Kaiser Physician Oversight Continues To Find Criticism
Earlier this year, state regulators issued a record fine against Kaiser Permanente because of inconsistent physician oversight. A newspaper investigation asserts that the case of one physician at a Kaiser facility in Fresno was a major factor in the citation. Los Angeles Times.
Group Releases Annual Hospital Quality Findings
The study found that mortality rates at the highest-ranked hospitals decreased by 12.8% from 2002 to 2004, compared with an 11.4% decline at the lowest-ranked hospitals. If all of the hospitals performed at the level of the highest-ranked facilities, 266,604 fewer Medicare beneficiaries would have died, according to the study’s authors. HealthDay/Washington Post.
Governor Rejects Bill Expanding Disclosure of Hospital Infections
The vetoed measure would have established a panel with broad authority over publicizing hospital quality information, a move that drew opposition from the hospital industry. Gov. Schwarzenegger’s health care reform plan includes less stringent reporting requirements. Los Angeles Times.
Health Reform Talks Continue as Governor Vetoes Democratic Plan
Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed a health care reform plan by Democratic legislators, arguing that it would have placed a heavy burden on businesses and would not have required all residents to obtain coverage. Meanwhile, a new survey indicates that a narrow majority of Californians would back a sales tax increase to expand health insurance coverage. Sacramento Bee et al.
Vote on Kids’ Insurance Veto Draws Commentary
An editorial board and columnist join California health care advocates in arguing for Congress to override President Bush’s veto of compromise legislation to expand and reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Sacramento Be et al.
Private Insurers’ Medicare Rx Drug Plans Face Criticism
A new report requested by Rep. Henry Waxman finds that nearly $15 billion could have been saved in 2007 if private insurers offering Medicare prescription drug plans received drug discounts similar to Medicaid and had administrative costs similar to those of Medicare. Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg.
Schwarzenegger OKs, Nixes Health Care Bills at End of Session
Bills dealing with health insurance mandates and the health care safety net for Los Angeles County were among those before Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in the final days of the 2007 regular legislative session. Overall, the governor signed 750 bills and vetoed 214. Sacramento Bee et al.
Pfizer Set To Join Online Physician Social Network
Pfizer has signed a deal with Sermo, an online network of licensed physicians, to participate in discussions with doctors on topics such as drug side effects. The site originally was not intended to include drug companies, but recent polls and focus groups show a desire for drug industry participation, according to Sermo officials. Bloomberg/Fort Worth Star-Telegram et al.
Health Care Reform News From Around the Nation: October 15, 2007
Texas has sufficient funding to maintain its version of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program for at least one year, regardless of the outcome of federal legislation on the program. In Michigan, lawmakers and insurers take sides over regulation of premium increases.