Latest California Healthline Stories
Prison Health Care Reformer Issues Third Progress Report
The report detailed efforts that have reduced costs to by tens of millions of dollars and proposals to expand medical services to inmates with physical or mental illnesses. MediaNews/Contra Costa Times, Sacramento Bee.
Seniors’ Health and Daily Function Improves
The percentage of seniors living in nursing homes has decreased, as have the percentages of individuals older than age 65 who have heart disease, arthritis, hypertension or other chronic health conditions. Washington Times, CQ HealthBeat.
Jesse Jackson Calls for Single-Payer System
Rev. Jesse Jackson called for Congress to allow Medicare to negotiate discounts directly with drug companies under the prescription drug benefit and to legalize reimportation. Miami Herald.
Children’s Health Bill Introduced
Assembly member John Laird said the initiative would cost $300 million and provide coverage to all children in California. A tobacco tax, lower emergency department costs and funds from other programs could go toward funding the program. Gilroy Dispatch.
Insurance Rates Increase for Entertainment Groups
State officials say the premium increase is justified because the group representing the members is not small enough to qualify for increase limits. USA Today.
San Diego County could save as much as $1.8 billion over 20 years under a plan spurred in part by new federal accounting rules. The plan now moves to the independent county retirement board. San Diego Union-Tribune.
California 23rd in National Health Ranking
California has among the lowest rates of tobacco use, infant mortality and cancer deaths, but obesity rates and the percentage of uninsured residents have increased. Los Angeles Daily News, Sacramento Business Journal.
Study: Outsourcing Could Drive EHR Adoption
A services vendor, physician association or hospital could house or maintain electronic health record software, which physicians could access over a secure broadband Internet connection. Investor’s Business Daily.
Proposed Medicaid Cuts Opposed
Lawmakers from both parties propose congressional action to prevent the implementation of proposed rules that would reduce Medicaid reimbursements. The administration of President Bush likely will issue regulations soon for the changes. St. Louis Post Dispatch et al.
New Medical Facilities in the Works in Bay Area
Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health and Children’s Hospital are planning new medical facilities for the east San Francisco Bay Area. Plans for a medical laboratory and a hospital facility have been confirmed, and another hospital facility is possible. Contra Costa Times.