Latest California Healthline Stories
Pay, Practice Size Fuel Rise in ‘Boutique Medicine’
The service continues to gain momentum, as physicians face low reimbursement rates and a lack of independence because of restrictions from insurance companies. Contra Costa Times.
Bush To Propose More Than $70B in Cuts to Medicare, Medicaid
President Bush plans to ask for more than $70 billion in savings from Medicare and Medicaid over five years, in part by requiring high-income beneficiaries to pay more for coverage and asking states to tighten SCHIP requirements. The cuts are part of the administration’s budget-balancing effort. New York Times, CQ HealthBeat.
Vaccine Bill Sponsor Pulls Out Amid Flap Over Stock Investment
Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Sally Lieber said she made her decision to withdraw because of a possible conflict of interest with her husband’s ownership of stock in Merck, the only manufacturer of the HPV vaccine. San Jose Mercury News.
Flu Outbreak Plans Draw on Warning Model Used for Hurricanes
CDC issues new guidelines modeled after the hurricane warning system used by the National Weather Service to help state and local governments prepare for a flu pandemic. McClatchy/Houston Chronicle et al.
Sutter Director Not Worried Over Medicare Funds for Transplants
Sutter Memorial Hospital in Sacramento has fallen short of federal requirements on how many heart transplants must be performed annually. However, the hospital’s director is confident it will keep its Medicare funding. Sacramento Bee.