Latest California Healthline Stories
Web-Based Tools Can Help Prevent Diagnostic Errors
Kaiser Permanente and the Veterans Administration are piloting a Web-based decision support program that provides physicians with up to 30 possible diagnoses. Wall Street Journal.
Changes to New York Hospital System Recommended
A commission tasked with recommending reforms to New York’s hospital system called for the closure of nine hospitals, including five in New York City. The commission estimates the plan would increase revenue at the remaining hospitals by $720 million per year and save Medicare, Medicaid and other insurers $800 million annually. Long Island Newsday et al.
Fewer Plans Cover Brand-Name Drugs in Coverage Gap
More Medicare prescription drug plans will offer coverage of generic drugs during the doughnut hole next year, but the number of plans offering coverage of brand-name medications will decrease, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Los Angeles Times.
County Proposes Change to Retiree Health Benefits
San Diego County would eliminate subsidies for retiree health care benefits for current workers and those who retired after 2002 under a plan intended to reduce the county’s unfunded liabilities. San Diego Union-Tribune.
State Supreme Court Upholds Medical Marijuana Law
The court ruling upheld a state law that protects patients and caregivers from being prosecuted for transporting marijuana. Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle.
State Fund Proposes Reduced Workers’ Compensation Rates
The reduction represents the seventh consecutive rate decrease for the State Compensation Insurance Fund, which provides workers’ compensation insurance to about one-third of California businesses. State Fund’s rates now reflect a cumulative savings of 49% below pre-2004 levels. Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Business Times.
Drug Benefit To Cost Less Than Estimated for 2006
CMS attributed the decrease in the cost of the Medicare drug benefit to lower than expected enrollment, savings from competition and drug prices that did not increase as much as anticipated. AP/Houston Chronicle, AP/Albany Times Union.
Westly: Compromise Needed To Address Health Care
A state disease management program could be one aspect of a plan to help control health care costs and support access to adequate health coverage for all California residents. San Jose Mercury News.
Stem Cell Agency Will Evaluate Grant Applications Privately
The California Institute of Regenerative Medicine has received 232 proposals for 30 research grants in the current round of applications. KQED’s “The California Report.” Audio.
Supervisor Open to Health Access Plan Modifications
San Francisco’s Health Access Plan is intended to provide access to health care services to more than 80,000 uninsured residents. Part of the funding for the ordinance derives from mandatory payments by businesses. San Francisco Business Times.