Latest California Healthline Stories
People With Disabilities Face Waits for Medi-Cal Applications
The Department of Social Services currently has a backlog of about 12,000 Medi-Cal applications filed by people with disabilities, down from a backlog of about 16,000 cases last year. Advocacy groups have sued the state on the matter. Sacramento Bee.
Hospital System To Choose Suppliers That Offer Insurance
The decision by Baptist Health South Florida hospital system is one of a few such policies in the nation by an entity not affiliated with the government. Miami Herald.
Merck To Purchase California Biotech Firm
Merck’s all-cash offer is valued at $1.1 billion. New York Times.
Kuehl: California Health Care System in ‘Crisis’
Sen. Sheila Kuehl last year introduced legislation that would have replaced private health insurance with a state-run, single-payer universal health insurance program. Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed the bill. Asian Journal, Sacramento Bee.
UnitedHealthcare Physician Negotiations Affect Contracts
Sun Microsystems will move its business to Blue Cross of California, a decision made as UnitedHealthcare continues contract negotiations with Bay Area physicians. San Francisco Business Times.
Hospitals Adopt Aviation Safety Practices To Curb Errors
The Institute of Medicine has recommended that health care workers undergo safety training similar to training pilots receive. New York Times.
Companies Encourage Increased Use of Generics
Nearly half of the 60 most commonly prescribed prescription drugs will have generic equivalents available over the next four years, a change that could reduce medication costs significantly. Wall Street Journal.
Federal Officials Extend Funding Deadline for King/Drew
CMS said the funding extension for Martin Luther King Jr./Drew University Medical Center could be withdrawn at any time if the hospital does not continue to demonstrate improvements on quality of care. AP/San Francisco Examiner, Los Angeles Times.
Consumers Warned About Discount Health Plans
Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi said he issued a cease and desist order directing two companies and their operators to stop marketing discount health plans to California consumers. East Bay Business Times.
Nurses Union Campaigns for Public Financing Measure
KPBS’ “KPBS News” on Oct. 30 reported on the California Nurses Association’s support for Proposition 89, which would create a publicly-funded state campaign system and cap some political contributions. Audio.