Latest California Healthline Stories
Stem Cell Agency Approves Research Rules
A member of the stem cell agency’s governing board and a consumer watchdog discussed whether temporary rules adopted by the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine’s governing board ensure access to therapies at price levels suitable for public purchasers. KPCC’s ‘AirTalk.’ Audio.
Congress Approves Measures on Medicare Physician Payments, HSAs
The legislation would maintain the current level of Medicare physician reimbursements next year and would provide an increase in reimbursements to physicians who agree to report data on certain quality-of-care measures. Under the bill, the increase in Medicare reimbursements would depend on physicians’ participation in the reporting project but could lead to higher payments to better-performing physicians. Washington Post et al.
Most U.S. Residents Favor Drug Price Negotiations
Most U.S. residents support a proposal to allow Medicare to negotiate medication prices directly with pharmaceutical companies, a survey finds.
Panel Recommends More Warnings About Drug-Eluting Stents
An FDA panel said that off-label use of drug-coated stents appears to raise the risk of blood clots, heart attack and death. The panel said it is unclear whether the increased risk is caused by the stents or if it is a result of the poorer health of the higher-risk patients. Washington Post et al.
Enrollment Levels Low in Consumer-Driven Health Plans
The same percentage of privately insured adults were enrolled in high-deductible plans with tax-exempt health savings accounts this year as last year, while the percentage enrolled in high-deductible plans without HSAs decreased, according to a study. Denver Post et al.
Drug-Eluting Stents Do Not Raise Heart Attack, Death Risk
FDA asked the advisory panel to examine the risks of blood clots, heart attack and death for approved and off-label use of drug-coated stents compared with older bare-metal stents. Drug-coated stents are approved by FDA for use in patients with simple artery blockages. Washington Post et al.
CDC Refuses Congressional Requests for Katrina Reports
HHS asked CDC to identify any issues that might prevent release of the reports detailing the agency’s response to Hurricane Katrina. If there are none, HHS asked CDC to release the reports immediately. Atlanta Journal-Constitution.