Latest California Healthline Stories
Caring for Aging Parents Presents Unique Challenges
Many elder caregivers struggle with stress, mixed emotions and tension among siblings. Children who do not currently care for elderly parents can take steps to be financially prepared in the event that they have to provide elder care in the future. USA Today.
Billing Lawsuit Against Scripps Receives Class-Action Status
As many as 100,000 patients claim to have been billed about four times what Medicare pays for services at Scripps Health hospitals in San Diego. A spokesperson for Scripps says the hospital chain “strongly objects” to the accusations. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Catholic Healthcare West Ads Advocate Health Care Reform
The campaign is separate from one backed by Together for Health Care, a coalition that Catholic Healthcare West co-founded. The hospital chain’s ads are set to run in national and regional newspapers and magazines through September. San Francisco Business Times, San Jose Mercury News.
Democratic Candidates for President Tackle Health Care Issues
Access to health care and HIV/AIDS were among the issues Democratic presidential candidates discussed in their most recent debate. They also faulted the Bush administration for its response to Hurricane Katrina. Los Angeles Times et al.
Bush Urges Lawmakers To Avoid Kids’ Health Insurance Expansion
President Bush said that expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program to middle-income families would be a move toward government-run health care. He has proposed reducing federal funds for states that have expanded SCHIP eligibility to refocus the program on low-income children. The proposal would result in at least 17 states losing federal funding. Los Angeles Times et al.
Californians Cite Health Care Reform as Priority in Poll
Immigration and the economy rank higher on Californians’ list of priorities, but almost three-fourths of California residents say the state’s health care system needs to be reworked, according to a new statewide poll. San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Sacramento Bee.
Officials Seek Overhaul of Emergency Medical Services
The Emergency Medical Services Commission is calling for statewide licensing and mandatory criminal background checks of all EMTs in California. The proposals follow a newspaper investigation that uncovered lapses in state oversight of emergency medical services. Sacramento Bee.
Patients With ‘Medical Homes’ Report Higher Quality Health Care
A Commonwealth Fund study found that patients with a regular source of care, or medical home, better manage chronic diseases and undergo basic preventive care. The study concluded that medical homes could help eliminate health care disparities. Miami Herald, Orlando Sentinel.
Hurdles Remain for Health Care Reform Proposals
Assembly Republicans are calling for a hearing to consider whether health care reform plans put forward by Gov. Schwarzenegger and Democratic legislative leaders violate a federal law on employer benefit mandates, while opponents of the overhaul are gearing up to repeal any plan that is approved. San Diego Union-Tribune, Ventura County Star.
Employers Concerned About Medical Leave Policy
Employers are concerned about the Family and Medical Leave Act’s impact on cost and productivity, especially in time-sensitive areas, such as health care, transportation, delivery and manufacturing. Up to 13 million employees took leave under the law in 2005. USA Today, AP/Seattle Post-Intelligencer.