Latest California Healthline Stories
San Francisco Faces $4.9B in Retiree Health Care Costs
San Francisco officials have created a special fund to set aside money to cover the city’s $4.9B liability for retiree health care costs over the next three decades. City officials also are considering mandatory contributions from the city and new employees to help reduce the liability. San Francisco Chronicle.
Lawmakers Seek To Boost Rx Drug Safety With User Fee Bill
The Prescription Drug User Fee Act has significantly reduced the approval time of new prescription drugs. However, some say more funding is needed to monitor drugs on the market and others question FDA’s reliance on funding from the pharmaceutical industry. Washington Post.
Food Safety Czar Works To Reduce Toll of Food-Borne Illness
David Acheson said he plans to speed the process of identifying the source of food-borne illness outbreaks. In related news, the food industry is taking steps to regain consumers’ trust after several products were recalled due to contamination. Washington Post, Washington Times.
San Diego County Appeals Ruling on Medical Benefit
San Diego County is trying to avoid reworking its County Medical Service program for indigent residents after other courts said the county’s eligibility guidelines violate a state law requiring counties to cover the cost of health care services for indigent patients. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Federal Medical Privacy Rule Poses New Challenges
Some providers’ overly cautious stance on the rule has frustrated caregivers, government officials and law enforcement authorities. Two senators plan to introduce legislation that would create an office within HHS devoted to interpreting and enforcing medical privacy. New York Times.
California Regulators Cite Health Insurer in Policy Cancellations
The Department of Insurance investigated a sample set of cases in which BC Life & Health revoked individual health insurance coverage and issued citations in more than half of the cases. Each citation could lead to a $10,000 fine and wider examinations. Los Angeles Times.
Contra Costa County Adopts Emergency Response Plan
Under the plan, all hospitals in the county must accept at least six patients, and paramedics no longer have to call ahead for a hospital’s approval. The plan also more broadly defines which disasters and emergencies warrant action. Contra Costa Times.
Heart Transplant Programs at Risk of Losing Funding
Three hospitals in Texas, Minnesota and Indiana have been given 30 days to explain why their heart transplant programs did not meet CMS standards and outline short- and long-term steps to guarantee continued compliance. If they are unable to do so, they will lose funding. Los Angeles Times.
Hospital Compare Web Site Raises Questions About Public Value
Consumers and advocacy groups have applauded the federal government’s posting hospital cardiac performance data online. However, some say that the information is of little use to the public when selecting a hospital and that more can be done to educate patients. Washington Post.
San Diego County Weighs Retiree Health Care Trust
County officials and union leaders are considering adopting one large investment pool or individual accounts to replace a plan approved last month by officials that would pay monthly checks to cover health costs for current employees during retirement. San Diego Union-Tribune.