Latest California Healthline Stories
Medicaid Beneficiaries Less Likely To Receive Recommended Care
Medicaid beneficiaries were less likely to receive aspirin, beta-blockers, and other blood thinning and anticholesterol medications than participants who had private health insurance, a study found. Medicaid beneficiaries also waited longer than participants who had private health insurance for initial electrocardiograms. Scripps Howard/Seattle Post-Intelligencer, et al.
Downsizing Costs for King/Drew Move Higher
Los Angeles County health officials said the cost of reducing services at Martin Luther King Jr./Drew University Medical Center would exceed previous estimates after learning the cost of transferring hospital employees to other county jobs. Los Angeles Times.
Market-Based Reforms Should Be Considered
An editorial says that Gov. Schwarzenegger should consider “free-market approaches” to health care reform before advocating strategies that entail greater government involvement. Orange County Register.
Target Expands Generic Drug Program
All of Target’s pharmacies now will offer a 30-day supply of certain generic drugs for $4. The company previously offered the program only in states where Wal-Mart was offering generic drugs at the same price. Reuters/New York Times.
Endowment Underway for Proposed Medical School
UC-Riverside will use part of the proceeds of a land sale to provide its largest-ever endowment for the proposed medical school at the campus. The UC Board of Regents last week approved continued work on the proposal. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Judge Says Counties Must Follow State Medical Marijuana Law
Federal law prohibits all uses of marijuana, but Thursday’s tentative court decision maintained that states are not mandated to enforce federal laws. San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
Details of Health Care Reform Proposal Emerging
Gov. Schwarzenegger is not expected to outline his health care agenda until January, but newspapers are reporting that it will include plans to use improved technology to reduce costs and call for anti-obesity and physical activity campaigns, especially in public schools. Eliminating some HMO coverage mandates also is under consideration. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Prison Health Care Reformer Proposes New Medical Facilities
The court-appointed receiver of the state prison health care system is working with the state to borrow at least $1 billion to build new medical facilities on prison property. Sillen wants the facilities to be located near cities to help attract medical personnel. Sacramento Bee, AP/Contra Costa Times.
Leavitt Promotes Four Cornerstones Plan
The plan calls for employers to prioritize four criteria when they purchase health insurance: interoperable health care information technology; reporting of quality of care measures; reporting of health care price information; and incentives for high-quality, cost-effective care. CongressDaily, CQ HealthBeat.
Medicaid Commission Issues Recommendations
A federal Medicaid commission’s recommendations addressed electronic health records, home-based care and care management among other strategies for long-term care reform. AP/Houston Chronicle, CQ HealthBeat.