Latest California Healthline Stories
People Enrolled in Consumer-Driven Plans More Cost-Conscious
More than half of individuals in consumer-directed plans who have received care under their plans said that being enrolled in such a plan has changed their approach to using health care, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey. Washington Post et al.
Profitability of Drug Discount Program in Question
Wal-Mart has stated that it will make a profit on the discounted drugs, with company leaders saying that only profitable generics will be included in the program. New York Times.
Bay Area AIDS Organizations Receive Funding
A private philanthropy made the donations in recognition of the 25th anniversary of AIDS this year. Ahead of World AIDS Day on Friday, a Los Angeles organization also is working to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS among minority residents. San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times.
Republican Lawmakers Caution Governor’s Reform Plans
Gov. Schwarzenegger on Sunday said that his goal is to extend health care coverage to all uninsured Californians, a population that some estimates say includes 1.6 million undocumented immigrants. Republican lawmakers said they would oppose extending coverage to undocumented immigrants because it could increase undocumented immigration. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Some See San Francisco Health Access Program as National Model
The program is designed to provide access to health care services to the 82,000 uninsured San Francisco residents. Patients will be able to receive care only within San Francisco at city and community clinics and the public hospital. San Francisco Chronicle.
San Joaquin County Physicians Seek Retiree Benefits
The union representing the physicians proposes that the county provide physicians with a pension plan and disability pay using the money that it contributes to 401(k) plans. Stockton Record.
County Authorizes $100M for King/Drew Contracts
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services will use the funds for downsizing costs, including subsidies for bed space at nearby hospitals, while Martin Luther King Jr./Drew University Medical Center reduces its number of beds, hires emergency physicians and pays for ambulance services. Los Angeles Times.
Large Employers To Launch EHR Plan
The companies say that portable EHRs will reduce medical errors, duplication of tests and administrative overhead. About 10 employers eventually will collaborate with the plan. Wall Street Journal.
CMS Pulls Funding From Two Transplant Centers
CMS notified heart transplant programs in North Carolina and New York that they will no longer receive Medicare funding. A third program in Missouri voluntarily relinquished its Medicare funding after receiving a warning. Los Angeles Times.
Democrats Likely To Examine Medicaid Policies
Democrats have long raised concerns about the Bush administration’s use of a process that allows states to request waivers of certain federal requirements on Medicaid eligibility, reimbursements and beneficiary contributions. The Hill.