Latest California Healthline Stories
Demographics Affect Health Care Reform Efforts
A larger uninsured population and a lower percentage of employers who offer health care coverage to workers are among the obstacles to developing a health insurance mandate in California that is similar to a law recently passed in Massachusetts. Los Angeles Times.
CMS Launching ‘Final Push’ for Drug Benefit Enrollment
Medicare has added 6,000 telephone operators, quadrupled its computer enrollment capacity and promised to participate in more than 1,000 events in the next week as part of a “final push” to enroll Medicare beneficiaries in the prescription drug benefit before the May 15 enrollment deadline. AP/San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Advocacy Groups Ask for Funding Increases
Some groups that receive state funding, including doctors who treat Medi-Cal beneficiaries, are asking for funding increases after the state reported an unexpected $4 billion increase in tax revenue. Sacramento Bee.
A supporter and an opponent of a tobacco tax initiative that would fund hospital emergency services and children’s health insurance discussed the issue on May 5. KPCC’s “Patt Morrison.”
Test Votes Planned for Malpractice, AHP Bills
Senate Democrats and Republicans as part of “Health Week” will debate legislation on medical malpractice and association health plans. CongressDaily et al.
Nevada Reimportation Program Regulations Approved
A Nevada legislative subcommittee approves regulations for a program that will allow prescription drug reimportation from Canada. Nevada Appeal, Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Molina Healthcare Q1 Profits Decline
Increasing health costs have reduced first-quarter profits at insurer Molina Healthcare. Reuters/Los Angeles Times.
Hospital Design Aimed at Reducing Medical Errors
At least 35 health organizations nationwide are building new facilities with architectural and design features aimed at improving patient safety. Wall Street Journal.
Kaiser Permanente Addresses Kidney Program Problems
Some patients at Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California kidney transplant program said they would transfer to other facilities after a Los Angeles Times investigation found that problems within the program led to transplant delays. Los Angeles Times.
UCSF Resumes Embryonic Stem Cell Research
The University of California-San Francisco has resumed stem cell studies that likely will be a key research area for the state stem cell agency. San Francisco Chronicle.