Latest California Healthline Stories
Medical School Files Suit Against Los Angeles County
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science’s lawsuit alleges that the county broke a contract for the school to provide interns and medical residents to a county hospital in exchange for payments. The school lost its accreditation after the hospital failed a federal inspection. Los Angeles Times, AP/Sacramento Bee.
E-Mail About Kaiser Electronic Records Project Drew Scrutiny
A former employee’s e-mail criticizing the way Kaiser Permanente was managing its $4 billion project to install an electronic health record system garnered widespread media attention, and led California regulators to take a closer look at the initiative. Wall Street Journal.
Mexican Official Lays Groundwork for Cross-Border Health Plan
Mexico’s health secretary met with California and U.S. officials to talk about health care services for Mexican citizens living in the U.S. and to begin work on plans to extend coverage to them through a proposed Mexican government plan. San Francisco Chronicle.
Bush Stands Firm Against Overhauling Medicare Drug Benefit
President Bush argued against altering the program, pointing out that costs are below estimates and that beneficiaries say they’re happy with the benefit. Legislation in the Senate would let HHS negotiate prices with drug firms. AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Chicago Tribune.
Judge Orders Update of Plan for Mental Health Workers
The judge overseeing California’s prison mental health system gave the state until May to come up with an acceptable plan for keeping workers in place at facilities statewide. A state official said pay raises might be possible for more mental health workers. Los Angeles Times.
Health Care Investments on the Rise in California
A surge in venture capital investments in health care endeavors in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego County mirrors a similar increase nationwide. Analysts attribute the jump to an aging population and an increased focus on health. San Jose Mercury News, San Diego Union-Tribune.
Transplant Settlement an Ongoing Issue for Kaiser
Kaiser Permanente has closed the book on its effort to run a kidney transplant center in Northern California, but the HMO is funding an outreach program for minorities about organ donation as part of its settlement with the state. Oakland Tribune et al.
California Looks to Mobile Hospitals for Emergencies
The portable hospitals are part of Gov. Schwarzenegger’s emergency preparedness efforts and are intended to be on site and operating within 72 hours of being activated. State officials aim to have the mobile facilities in place by summer. Sacramento Bee.
Study Says Hospital Cost Controls Can Hurt Care
Patients can be put at higher risk for adverse events as a result of hospital efforts to rein in costs. The study cites an example of a Massachusetts facility’s nurse staffing levels. Boston Herald.
Overhaul of Prison Health System Enters Second Year
Robert Sillen’s first year as federal court-appointed receiver for California’s prison health care system has seen advances in efficiency and retaining medical staff, but his authority has drawn criticism and resistance from state lawmakers and officials. Contra Costa Times.