Latest California Healthline Stories
Hospital Policy Changes Would Prevent ‘Dumping’ Accusations
The Hospital Association of Southern California urged Los Angeles County hospitals to adopt a new policy for transporting homeless patients that includes obtaining written consent from patients before they are discharged. Los Angeles Times.
U.S. Tuberculosis Rate at All-Time Low
The U.S. tuberculosis rate decreased to an all-time low in 2005, but the number of cases of multi-drug resistant TB increased, a report finds. Washington Post, et al.
Report Questions Oversight of Federal Grant Program
A federal official recommends procedures for the administration and oversight of grant recipients and an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program as a whole. Washington Times, AP/Arizona Daily Star.
Medicare Outpatient Premiums To Increase for Some Beneficiaries
A provision in the 2003 Medicare law will require higher-income beneficiaries to pay a higher percentage of their monthly premium costs for Medicare Part B, which covers outpatient health care services. Washington Times.
Plan Addresses Patient ‘Dumping’ in Downtown Los Angeles
Officials in Los Angeles County released a plan to curb the alleged “dumping” of patients and other homeless people in downtown Los Angeles by creating regional homeless shelters. Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News.
7.2M Medicare Beneficiaries Voluntarily Enrolled in Drug Benefit
About 1.9 million beneficiaries have voluntarily enrolled in the Medicare drug benefit in the last month, bringing the total number of beneficiaries who have voluntarily enrolled since the program began to 7.2 million. AP/Long Island Newsday, et al.
Studies Identify Why Avian Flu Not Spreading Among Humans
The avian flu virus attaches deep within the human respiratory tract, which prevents the spread of the virus through coughs and sneezes, researchers found. Washington Times, et al.
County Health Insurance Costs Up by $8.1M
San Joaquin County workers will pay about $1 million more for health care in 2006, while the county will cover the remaining $7.1-million cost increase. Oakland Tribune.
California Healthline Highlights Recent Hospital News
Sutter Health plans new facility in Sonoma County; Hospital reopens emergency department in Los Angeles County
A statewide shortage of nursing-education faculty is the main obstacle to addressing the current and future nursing shortages in California, according to some health industry players. Riverside Press-Enterprise.