Latest California Healthline Stories
California Institutions Win Brain Research Funding
As NIH stresses more scientific collaboration, four institutions in La Jolla have been chosen out of 60 contenders nationwide to lead an effort to develop treatments for brain disorders and diseases. San Diego Union-Tribune.
The California-based company’s expenditure cap would apply to all patients, including those with private insurance or Medicare. New York Times.
Bustamante Questioned About Campaign Donations
Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante promised to return donations from insurance companies to his campaign for insurance commissioner, but a review of financial records indicates that he has continued to accept contributions from groups that do business with insurers. Los Angeles Times.
One in Four MDs Have Adopted Electronic Records
Physicians in private practices or in practices with one other physician were much less likely than other physicians to have adopted EHRs, according to a study. About half of U.S. physicians practice in such settings. Washington Post et al.
Letter Questions Claims on Medicare Drug Benefit
California Rep. Pete Stark questions a Wall Street Journal editorial on Medicare costs, writing that Medicare trustees have found administrative costs for private plans offered under the Medicare prescription drug benefit to be higher than those for traditional Medicare. Wall Street Journal.
Transfer of Kaiser Transplant Patient Records Complete
About 2,300 patient records have been transferred to the University of California-Davis and UC-San Francisco medical centers. Los Angeles Times.
Tobacco Industry Outspending Proponents of Tobacco Tax Increase
California is the largest domestic market for Philip Morris products and accounts for substantial percentages of other tobacco companies’ sales, leading to the tobacco industry’s notable opposition. Wall Street Journal.
Union Critical of Hospital Chain’s Bond Proposal
John Muir Health has proposed issuing tax-free bonds through a state fund, but the Service Employees International Union, United Healthcare Workers-West says the not-for-profit health system is not eligible for such funds because it partners with for-profit entities on some projects. East Bay Business Times.
Easy Vaccine Exemption Laws Boost Outbreaks
All states provide for vaccine exemptions for medical reasons, and 48 states allow exemptions for other reasons, including either religious or personal beliefs. Reuters et al.
Medicare To Reduce Power Wheelchair Payments
CMS decided to reduce Medicare reimbursements for power wheelchairs after program expenditures for the devices increased significantly in recent years. Washington Times.