Latest California Healthline Stories
Enrollment Increases in Medicare Fee-For-Service Plans
The 2003 Medicare law boosted insurers’ subsidies for such plans in response to some lobbyists’ claims that expanding private Medicare plans would reduce federal government spending. New York Times.
California Healthline Highlights Recent Hospital News
Hospital to shut down emergency department in Los Angeles County; Wage cuts instituted at Bay Area facility
Retail Clinics Opening in Sacramento Area
Nurse practitioners and physician assistants will staff the clinics, which will offer 20-minute visits without an appointment. Sutter Health and Rite Aid are partnering on the venture. Sacramento Bee.
Some Hispanics Face Health Care Access Issues
A survey found that Hispanic patients and their physicians in “new-growth” communities reported having a more difficult time communicating than those in larger cities. Boston Herald et al.
Wal-Mart Announces Generic Drug Discount Program
Drugs included in the program have been available generically for a relatively long period, have multiple manufacturers and are “already inexpensive” on the wholesale drug market. USA Today et al.