Latest California Healthline Stories
CDC Releases 30th Annual Report on U.S. Health
The report found that although the prevalence of chronic diseases has increased, the overall health of the nation continues to improve. Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Wal-Mart Further Expanding Drug Discount Program
California is not among the states to which the Wal-Mart program will expand, but company officials said that the company plans to expand the program to additional states as early as possible. AP/Houston Chronicle.
Kaiser Charged With ‘Patient Dumping’
Kaiser Permanente’s Bellflower hospital is the first of 10 hospitals under investigation to be criminally charged for illegally transporting discharged homeless patients to downtown Los Angeles. Los Angeles Times.
Kaiser Donations Address State Nursing Shortage
The grants are part of a $20 million fund to train more than 700 new nurses in Northern California in the next four years. The state will face a nursing shortage by 2012, according to a report. East Bay Business Times, Oakland Tribune.
California Residents Have Not Addressed End-of-Life Care
A survey by the California HealthCare Foundation found that a majority of California residents supported patients’ right to die in some situations, although most residents said they had not documented their wishes for end-of-life care. Oakland Tribune.
Beginning of Open Enrollment Raises Issues
The open enrollment period for the 2007 Medicare drug plan year began on Wednesday, prompting newspapers nationwide to consider issues facing beneficiaries as they evaluate coverage choices. AP/Cleveland Plain Dealer et al.
Health Care Spending Could Increase by 12%
Some employers might impose higher out-of-pocket costs to counteract the projected increase and some employers are creating wellness programs to improve workers’ health and lower costs. San Diego Union-Tribune, AP/Washington Post.
Hospital Billing Lawsuits Dismissed
Lawsuits filed by consumer advocate Erin Brockovich sought repayment from hospitals to Medicare for services provided to treat conditions resulting from medical errors. Federal judges have dismissed more than 30 of the lawsuits in California. San Diego Union-Tribune.
Former HHS Secretary Considering Presidential Run
Former HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson said he will establish an exploratory committee and will make a decision next spring about whether to seek the nomination. Des Moines Register.
Health Care for Undocumented Immigrants Costs $1.1B
A RAND study found that undocumented immigrants tend to visit physicians less frequently than U.S. citizens because they are younger and because people with chronic health problems are less likely to cross the border. More than one-fifth of undocumented immigrants have health insurance coverage, according to the study. Los Angeles Times et al.