Latest California Healthline Stories
British Population Healthier Than U.S. Population
U.S. residents older than age 55 are “much sicker” than people in Britain, with higher rates of diabetes, heart attack and cancer, a study finds. New York Times et al.
Bills Target ‘Patient Dumping’ by Hospitals
Legislative committees last week passed bills that aim to stop hospitals from discharging homeless patients to areas where homeless services are concentrated. Sacramento Bee.
Flu Pandemic Preparedness Planning Continues
Experts discuss preparations and legal implications of pandemic flu, while counties continue establishing preparedness plans. Oakland Tribune.
‘Sunbird’ Seniors Encouraged To Enroll in National Drug Plan
Federal officials asked Medicare beneficiaries who spend significant time away from home to enroll in a national prescription drug plan under the Medicare drug Benefit. AP/Washington Times, The Hill.
Legislation Needed To Extend Seismic Safety Deadline
Sen. Dave Cox and Duane Dauner, president of the California Hospital Association, write that extensions to state seismic safety regulations are necessary to prevent hospitals from closing. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
UnitedHealth To Modify Executive Benefits
Equity-based awards and other benefits for top executives will end under the decision by the UnitedHealth Group board. Los Angeles Times et al.
Medicare Hospital Trust Fund Will Be Insolvent by 2018
The trust fund by 2018 will be able to cover only 80% of estimated billings for inpatient care, according to the 2006 annual report by Medicare trustees. New York Times et al.
Tax Windfall Could Help Fund Prison Health Care
The state unexpectedly will have an additional $4 billion from state income tax revenue, and funds could go to departments and programs not included in Gov. Schwarzenegger’s January budget proposal, including the state prison health care system. Sacramento Bee.
Bush Calls for Hospital Price Disclosures
President Bush asked hospitals to make price data for medical procedures available to the public to help reduce health care costs. CQ HealthBeat, USA Today.
States Limited in Liens on Medicaid Beneficiary Settlements
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states can take a limited amount from the legal settlements of Medicaid beneficiaries as payment for medical expenses. AP/CongressDaily, et al.