Latest California Healthline Stories
Two National Quality Organizations Merge
The National Quality Forum and the National Committee on Quality Health Care have merged to become the National Quality Forum. CQ HealthBeat.
Legislation Would Promote Electronic Health Records
Health insurers that participate in the insurance program for federal employees could use a percentage of the program’s financial reserves to cover the cost of electronic records implementation. Washington Post.
California Could Be Example of Health Care Reform Efforts
Two opinion pieces consider health care reform strategies. One says California could serve as an example by implementing a single-payer health care system, and the other discusses efforts in California to increase the use of health information technology. San Francisco Chronicle.
Meeting Addresses California Health IT Project
National Coordinator for Health IT Dr. David Brailer said the California Regional Health Information Organization represents his “view of how to embarrass every other state into making major changes.” San Francisco Business Times.
Legislation Would Modify Medicare Drug Benefit
A bill by Sens. Edward Kennedy and Debbie Stabenow would allow Medicare beneficiaries to obtain drug coverage directly from Medicare itself and eliminate the “doughnut hole.” Springfield Republican, et al.
Views Differ on Medicare Drug Benefit
Residents of different congressional districts in the San Joaquin Valley have different reactions to the Medicare drug benefit, with one district being more critical than the other district. Fresno Bee.
MedPAC Recommends Revision of Medicare Reimbursement System
A report to Congress states that the current system could be more effective at identifying “overvalued” services and is overly reliant on information from medical specialty societies. CQ HealthBeat.
State Mental Health Care Systems Get ‘D’ Grade
The National Alliance on Mental Illness gave state mental health care systems nationwide an average grade of D in a new report. CQ HealthBeat, et al.
State Ranked No. 1 in Contraceptive Access
A state-by-state analysis ranked California first in access to contraception, funding for sex counseling and support from state lawmakers. Contra Costa Times.
Medical School Will Study Racial, Ethnic Health Disparities
A five-year grant to Loma Linda University will allow it to study health disparities among minorities, including higher instances of diabetes and certain types of cancer. Los Angeles Times.