Latest California Healthline Stories
Workers’ Comp Costs Falling in California After Reforms
Even after a drop in workers’ compensation costs in 2005, California accounted for about one-fifth of the nation’s workers’ compensation payments. San Francisco Chronicle.
Schwarzenegger Announces $25M in Grants for Health IT
Funds for the grants come from a concession that California regulators won from UnitedHealth Group in its 2005 merger with PacifiCare Health Systems for $200 million in investments to benefit Californians with limited access to health care. Office of the Governor.
New Orleans Proposal Could Be National Model for ‘Medical Homes’
New Orleans’ efforts to restructure its health care system after Hurricane Katrina aim to establish a network of community clinics as “medical homes” for residents to have regular access to primary care services. Local advocates are pushing to begin funding the effort next month. USA Today.
Number of Diabetes Cases Increasing in California, New Research Finds
Overall, minorities experienced the sharpest increases in diabetes rates in California from 2001 to 2005. The incidence of diabetes remained flat among African Americans, but the group still had a higher diabetes rate than other racial groups. Los Angeles Times, KNBC.com.
Hospitals Leery of Medicare Rule on Avoidable Errors
The rule takes effect in October 2008 and will cut reimbursements to hospitals for complications that could have been prevented. Some hospital officials said the changes will be difficult to implement. NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
Medi-Cal Cuts in Budget Will Not Decrease State Spending
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s cuts to Medi-Cal reserve funds from the state budget were “largely irrelevant” because Medi-Cal’s status as an entitlement program means that the Legislature would have to pull funds from somewhere else to cover any shortfall that Medi-Cal faces, according to columnist Daniel Weintraub. Sacramento Bee, KPCC’s “Air Talk.”
Retail Clinics Expand Nationwide Despite Some States’ Concerns
California is among the states discussing options for regulation of retail clinics, which often are located in pharmacies. New York is particularly concerned about licensing issues for pharmacies and business arrangements between pharmacies and retail clinics. New York Times.
Studies: Weight-Loss Surgery Cuts Obesity-Related Deaths
New research finds that patients who undergo bariatric surgery are less likely to die from some conditions linked to obesity than overweight patients who elect not to have bariatric surgery, although critics said the benefits were relatively small. USA Today et al.
Editorials Fault New Rules for Children’s Insurance
The Bush administration last week announced new rules that would tighten eligibility requirements for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, a move that has drawn criticism from Democratic members of Congress and health care advocates. Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle.
FDA Approves Antipsychotic for Use in Children, Teens
The approval of Risperdal for use in pediatric patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder is FDA’s first approval for this class of drug in children. The move is expected to fuel a debate about whether such drugs can safely be used in children. Wall Street Journal et al.