Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Insurance Hotline To Expand Nationwide
A program that currently helps small businesses and individuals in California identify health insurance options will expand nationwide by fall 2006. Fresno Bee.
Possibility Raised of Extension for Seismic Safety Compliance
Some hospitals could receive extensions to comply with state seismic safety rules if the state approves use of a software application to calculate risk of damage to buildings in an earthquake. Sacramento Business Journal.
Senators Call for Reforms to Medicare QIOs
Sens. Chuck Grassley and Max Baucus ask CMS Administrator Mark McClellan to address concerns about the effectiveness of Medicare Quality Improvement Organizations. CQ HealthBeat.
Industry-Backed Studies Yield More Favorable Results
Medical research sponsored by industry groups generated results favorable to experimental heart drugs or medical devices two-thirds of the time, according to a study. Bloomberg/Arizona Daily Star.
Governor Extends Emergency Drug Coverage
California will spend up to $120 million on emergency drug coverage for some Medicare beneficiaries under a law Gov. Schwarzenegger signed Tuesday. Office of the Governor release.
Majority Supports County Sales Tax Increase
Support for a measure to increase Santa Clara County’s sales tax outweighs opposition to the measure, according to a poll. Some proceeds are expected to benefit local health programs. San Jose Mercury News.
1M Enroll in Last Week of Drug Benefit Sign Ups
CMS Administrator Mark McClellan said that 872,000 beneficiaries signed up last week and noted that online enrollments alone on Monday totaled 143,875 beneficiaries. Washington Post et al.
Kaiser Permanente Plans for Transplant Patient Transfer
A plan detailing how Kaiser Permanente will transfer kidney transplant patients to other hospitals is expected to be approved in about a month. San Francisco Chronicle.
CDC Guidelines Address Preconception Care
CDC’s new “preconception care” recommendations — published in the April 21 edition of CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report — encourage women to maintain physical and emotional health before they become pregnant. Wall Street Journal, Washington Post.
Medicare Spending Varies by State
Medicare spends tens of thousands of dollars more in some states than in others to provide care for beneficiaries with chronic illnesses, a study finds. USA Today et al.