Latest California Healthline Stories
Los Angeles Times Examines Effect of State Cap on Damages in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
The Los Angeles Times on Sunday examined the effect of California’s $250,000 cap on noneconomic damage awards in medical malpractice lawsuits, a law that is starting to come “under increasing fire.”
CalPERS To Allow Six Additional Hospitals To Remain in Blue Shield HMO Network
Six hospitals that were scheduled to be dropped from CalPERS’ Blue Shield of California HMO network beginning in 2005 will remain in the system, pension fund officials announced Friday, the Sacramento Bee reports.
HHS OIG Directs University of Southern California to Return More Than $1 Million in Federal Funding
Auditors at HHS’ Office of Inspector General have asked the University of Southern California to reimburse the federal government $1.08 million of a total of $1.27 million in funding because of problems in the university’s management of a program to train HIV/AIDS peer treatment educators, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports.
Christian Science Monitor Examines Recent Decrease in SCHIP Enrollment
The Christian Science Monitor on Monday examined the recent decrease in SCHIP enrollment.
U.S. District Judge Restricts Enforcement of Sacramento Abortion Clinic Protest Ordinance
U.S. District Judge Frank Damrell on Thursday issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting the enforcement of a city ordinance that creates a no-protest buffer zone around abortion clinics, the Sacramento Bee reports.
California should track new HIV cases by name instead of by alphanumeric code, the California Performance Review recommended in a report scheduled to be released Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Saturday signed a $105.3 billion fiscal year 2004-2005 state budget, using his line-item veto power to exclude $39 million for health and social services, the Contra Costa Times reports.
The federal budget deficit for fiscal year 2004 will be about $445 billion, including increased projections for Medicare spending, according to an Office of Management and Budget report released Friday, the Washington Post reports.
Medi-Cal Regulations Disregard Cost, Necessity of Nursing Home Care
Medi-Cal sends many seniors to nursing homes although they do not require the full-time, skilled care offered at such facilities and could receive care elsewhere for “a fraction of the more than $43,000 [per person] per year the government pays to reimburse nursing homes,” the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
New York Times Examines Impact of Health Care Costs, Other Economic Issues on Middle-Income Voters
The New York Times on Sunday examined how middle-income U.S. residents’ perceptions of whether they are economically “squeezed” will affect the upcoming election, with health care costs playing a central role in the debate.