Latest California Healthline Stories
Democrats Criticize 2007 Medicare Handbook
A letter written by Democratic legislators says that the 2007 Medicare handbook “presents a misleading and biased view of Medicare coverage and options” and “strongly favors” HMOs, PPOs and other private Medicare Advantage plans. New York Times et al.
Democratic Agenda Likely Would Not Include Universal Coverage
If Democrats win control of the House, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi will seek to pass legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies and remove restrictions that President Bush has placed on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. However, her agenda does not include universal health care. San Francisco Chronicle.
Online Hospital Data Poses Challenges
Many observers say that hospital information available online often is confusing and difficult to use. Miami Herald.
Hospital Cancels Medi-Cal Contract for Inpatient Services
Fewer than 2% of patients at Eden Medical Center’s two campuses will be affected by the decision. It will not apply to Medi-Cal patients seeking emergency care, labor or delivery, or psychiatric care. East Bay Business Times, Contra Costa Times.
Survey: Most Do Not Check Source of Online Information
About 10 million U.S. residents – 7% of U.S. Internet users – on a typical day in August used the Internet to search for health information, according to a survey. Reuters/Boston Globe.
Governor Says Health Care Top Focus in 2007
If re-elected, Gov. Schwarzenegger hopes to win legislative support to place a series of ballot measures to reform health care in the state on a 2008 ballot. Schwarzenegger has tapped staff members to devise a health care proposal he will present in January. Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, Sacramento Bee.
Data Collection Limits Program Evaluation
Staff at a research center at California State University-Bakersfield said information collected about a program to fund children’s health and education programs hampered their assessment of the program in Kern County. Bakersfield Californian.
Support Expected for Medicare Changes
California Rep. Pete Stark would become chair of the health subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee if Democrats win a majority of House seats in the Nov. 7 election, a position that he is expected to use to seek modifications to the Medicare drug benefit. Oakland Tribune.
NIH Ethics Rules Affect Retention
Most NIH scientists said that new ethics rules are overly strict and that the agency could have improved enforcement of the old ethics rules rather than implement new rules, according to a survey. AP/USA Today.
Publisher Top Contributor to Parental Notification Measure
Along with contributing the bulk of funding for the campaign, San Diego publisher James Holman has collected signatures to qualify the measure and provided office space for the campaign headquarters. AP/Modesto Bee.