Latest California Healthline Stories
More Transplant Centers Under Federal Investigation
The organization that oversees transplant programs in the U.S. is investigating alleged violations ranging from inconsistent record keeping to infractions that might have compromised patient safety. California is the only state with transplant centers that have been publicly disciplined by the organization. Los Angeles Times.
Medicare Drug Coverage Options See Changes for 2007
Premium costs and formularies for some Medicare prescription drug plans will not be the same as they were in 2006. Enrollment in plans for 2007 begins this week. MediaNews/Contra Costa Times.
Physicians Increasingly Working Beyond Retirement Age
Two recent studies question the assumption that experienced physicians provide better care. Fresno Bee.
The increasing number of banks offering health savings accounts is encouraging competition that could result in lower and more investment options. Wall Street Journal.
Action Expected on Appropriations Bills
House GOP leaders are working to find $3 billion for the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill but so far have not identified a source for the funding. Wall Street Journal et al.
California Spa Hotel Offers Medical Services
The $300 million facility in Westlake Village includes a diagnostic medical center, 270-room luxury hotel and 28-treatment room spa. USA Today.
Bush Administration Opposes Plans To Negotiate Drug Prices
The 2003 Medicare law prohibits the federal government from negotiating drug prices or establishing a list of preferred drugs, but California Rep. Nancy Pelosi has said her party will take up legislation that would repeal the ban within the first 100 hours of assuming the majority in the House. New York Times et al.
State Expands Kaiser Investigation
The investigation originally focused on quality-of-care and customer service issues at Kaiser’s Northern California kidney transplant unit, but regulators now are investigating whether larger issues affect the Kaiser system throughout California. San Francisco Business Times.
California Law Raises Concerns From Drug Companies
A state law that creates a voluntary drug discount program allows California in 2010 to remove from its Medi-Cal formulary medications produced by companies that have not offered discounts. Medi-Cal is the state’s Medicaid program. Boston Globe.
Cost of Retiree Health Benefits Drawing Scrutiny
The state has begun work on plans to address the cost of providing health care benefits to California retirees. A federal rule requires public agencies to disclose the amount that Medicare will not cover. San Francisco Chronicle.