Latest California Healthline Stories
Aide Touts Governor’s Plan for Insuring Children
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s plan would provide coverage to an additional 400,000 children currently eligible for public health insurance coverage. Monterey Herald.
State Faces $70B Health Care Liability
California should contribute $1 billion annually to a reserve fund to pay for future retirees’ health care costs, a legislative analyst’s report recommends. The state faces up to $70 billion in unfunded liabilities related to health costs for retired public employees. Sacramento Bee, et al.
California Healthline Highlights Recent Hospital News
Kaiser Permanente plans new clinics in the Coachella Valley; Sharp Grossmont Hospital could need $225 million bond for seismic upgrades
Proposal Would Deny Medicare Coverage for Spinal Disk
CMS proposes to deny Medicare coverage for Johnson & Johnson’s artificial spinal disk Charite because of a lack of supporting evidence. Wall Street Journal.
Medical Interpreter Regulations for HMOs Announced
Compliance with a law that requires HMOs to provide language assistance services for members could cost health plans up to $20 million, a trade association estimates. In related news, fewer than half of Non-English speakers who called hospital emergency departments in Alameda County were connected with personnel who spoke their language. Oakland Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle.
Health Records Go Digital in Santa Cruz County
Health facilities in Santa Cruz County in California on May 3 officially will begin transitioning to an electronic health records system. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Staffing Problems Remain at Atascadero State Hospital
No immediate action has been taken to address staffing problems at Atascadero State Hospital after union and Mental Health Department officials meet. San Luis Obispo Tribune.
States Consider Regulations on Industry Gifts to Physicians
At least nine states are considering legislation that would require pharmaceutical companies to report annual gifts to health care providers. PhRMA says such laws are unnecessary. USA Today.
Three States Take Action Related to Medicare Drug Benefit
Florida, Massachusetts and New Jersey this week took steps to extend emergency drug coverage for some Medicare beneficiaries. Miami Herald, et al.
Lack of Leadership, Accountability Faulted at UCI
An independent committee recommends that UCI Medical Center keeps its liver program closed until is becomes a priority and that it address staffing issues in other programs. Orange County Register, et al.