Latest California Healthline Stories
U.S. Life Expectancy Reaches Record High of 77.9 Years
U.S. residents’ life expectancy increased from 77.8 years in 2004 to 77.9 years in 2005, according to a report. Mortality rates among all residents for heart disease, cancer, stroke and HIV decreased in 2005, while mortality rates for respiratory disease, accidents, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease increased in 2005. AP/Philadelphia Inquirer et al.
Transplant Surgeons Oppose Proposed Donation Guidelines
Most transplant surgeons oppose a set of voluntary organ donation guidelines proposed by the United Network for Organ Sharing. Despite the opposition and revisions to the guidelines, a UNOS official said guidelines are needed and the group will work to pass a measure. Wall Street Journal.
Nutrition Information Bill Sparks Partisan Debate
Proponents of the measure say consumers have a right to know the nutritional information of food at restaurants, while opponents argue that the program is too costly and impractical. Meanwhile, Los Angeles officials are weighing a ban on fast food restaurants in South Los Angeles. San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times.
Governor Loses Appeal To Block Prison Population Cap
The appeals court ruled that the state cannot appeal a possible population cap on the state’s overcrowded prisons until the court completes its work and issues a decision. A three-judge panel will issue a cap if it determines that overcrowding is straining health care and mental health services. San Francisco Chronicle.
California Regulator Announces Agreement With UnitedHealth
The insurer will pay California more than $250,000 under a multimillion-dollar settlement with 37 states over the company’s claims processing practices. Fewer than 2% of the policyholders affected by the case are California residents. East Bay Business Times.
Public Schools Could Get Funds in California Health Reform Plan
A proposal to seek voters’ approval for a sales tax increase to pay for a health care overhaul could raise billions of dollars for public schools because of state funding formulas. Meanwhile, columnists voice concerns about using the initiative process for health reform. Capital Weekly et al.
Debate on Long-Term Care in San Francisco Continues
Advocates for elderly and disabled San Francisco residents are suing in an attempt to force the city to devote some funds for the construction of a new long-term care facility toward home-based care. KQED’s “Radio News.”
Blacks Receive Lower-Quality Nursing Home Care, Study Finds
The lower-quality care might be attributed in part to the fact that blacks are nearly three times as likely as whites to live in nursing homes with a large proportion of Medicaid beneficiaries. Such facilities are more likely to have limited staff. CQ HealthBeat, USA Today.
Medicare Provisions Could Be Dropped From Kids’ Bill
Senate and House leaders are discussing the possibility of stand-alone legislation on Medicare as they try to work out differences in State Children’s Health Insurance Program legislation. The House’s SCHIP bill would reduced payments to Medicare Advantage plans and made several Medicare revisions. CongressDaily.
Federal Agency Takes Action on Physician Self-Referrals Under Medicare
CMS has proposed regulations that essentially would withhold Medicare payments when physicians refer patients to businesses in which they have a financial stake. A recent McKinsey study found that physicians earn an estimated $8 billion annually through self-referral. Wall Street Journal.