Latest California Healthline Stories
Recommendations on Medicare Doctor Payments Faulted
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission’s report did not pass the bar set by House committee members, some of whom called for MedPAC to regroup and come back to Congress with more substantive recommendations. San Luis Obispo Tribune, CQ HealthBeat.
Report Lays Out Recommendations To Curb Medication Errors
Expanded use of health information technology and new labeling requirements for medication bottles could help cut the number of medication errors in California, according to a new state report. Secretary Belshé praised the report and said that Gov. Schwarzenegger’s health care proposal includes similar recommendations. Sacramento Bee et al.
Task Forces Will Target Reform at Army Hospital
President Bush has called for at least two commissions to investigate veterans’ health care, but some Democratic members of Congress remain skeptical about whether naming the commissions will translate to real improvements. Washington Post et al.
Medication Prices Up More Than Inflation, AARP Says
Drug makers say the report is inaccurate, but AARP maintains that pharmaceutical prices have jumped by more than 50% since 1999, while inflation has increased by about 20%. Cox/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Reuters.
Bill To Ban Trans Fats Passes First Test in Assembly Committee
Restaurants oppose the bill, but its author says trans fats are the leading cause of heart disease and diabetes and have no nutritional value. If it is approved, California would be the first state in the nation. AP/Sacramento Bee, Ventura County Star.
Shifting Focus of Health Reform Could Yield Benefits
A consultant, author and futurist posits that health care reform efforts could yield more tangible benefits if providing health care services — rather than expanding health insurance coverage — were the primary goal. Hospitals & Health Networks.
Washington State Challenges New Medicaid Rules
Washington state Gov. Christine Gregoire denounced as discriminatory federal rules that require proof of citizenship before enrolling an infant born in the U.S. for Medicaid. States nationwide have delayed complying with the requirement. AP/Seattle Times et al.
Bush Administration Official Questions Medicare Drug Benefit
U.S. Comptroller General David Walker said the benefit overextends the federal government, noting that an immediate investment of $8 trillion is needed to cover Medicare’s obligations during the next 75 years. Reuters.
Congress Ratchets Up Oversight of Army Hospital
Congressional committees kicked off what likely will be the first round of hearings on problems at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Following up on a pledge made last week, President Bush announced co-chairs of a bipartisan commission investigating the matter. Los Angeles Times et al.
Request for Confidentiality Agreements Questioned
The California Hospital Association and California Medical Association are fighting a request by Blue Cross of California that would subject the providers to more stringent privacy clauses in contract negotiations. Sacramento Business Journal.