Latest California Healthline Stories
Federal Judge Approves Settlement of Aetna Lawsuit Filed by Physicians
U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno on Friday gave final approval to a $470 million settlement between Connecticut-based Aetna and about 700,000 physicians nationwide who alleged that the insurer improperly denied or reduced payments, the Hartford Courant reports.
Democratic Presidential Candidates Address Health Care, Other Issues at Debate in Detroit
While discussions about Iraq “overshadowed differences on the economy and other domestic issues” at a 90-minute debate in Detroit on Sunday that included the nine Democratic presidential candidates, the “sharpest exchange” on domestic issues arose over whether former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean would cut Medicare, Medicaid or other government entitlement programs to shore up the federal budget, the Washington Post reports.
New York Times Examines Increase in Number of Specialty Hospitals in United States
The New York Times on Sunday examined how the Medicare payment system for inpatient care “with its emphasis on procedures and its weak ties to the actual costs of providing care” has led to growth of specialty hospitals to treat conditions with higher Medicare reimbursement rates.
Smoke Advisory Issued in Southern California
The South Coast Air Quality Management District on Sunday declared that smoke from the wildfires that spread in Southern California this weekend is causing a “significant health risk” because of decreased air quality and issued a smoke advisory for much of the area, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Sacramento Bee Examines Effects of Redding Medical Center Investigations
The Sacramento Bee on Sunday examined the ongoing issues at Redding Medical Center and the effect that the investigation into the Santa Barbara-based Tenet Healthcare-owned hospital has had on the surrounding community, “its two hospitals — and on the practice of medicine in California.”
New Coalition Launches Petition Drive To Challenge Employer-Sponsored Benefits Law
Officials from a newly formed coalition on Friday announced that they will begin collecting signatures for a petition to place a repeal for a recently enacted health benefits law (SB 2) on the March statewide ballot, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Hospital District Awards Employees With Performance Bonuses
Some employees at Palomar Pomerado Health District in Escondido on Monday received an across-the-board, 1.5% bonus for achieving goals set by the board of directors in patient satisfaction, staff retention and financial performance, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
California Pharmacists Association To Work With FDA To Curb Reimportation of Prescription Drugs
The California Pharmacists Association on Thursday announced that it will begin working with the FDA to curb the reimportation of lower-cost U.S.-made prescription drugs from Canada, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Senators Warn Medicare Bill May Be in Jeopardy Because of Disagreements
As a conference committee continues to work on reconciling the House and Senate Medicare bills (HR 1 and S 1), a group of senators, mostly made up of Democrats, on Thursday warned that they would block passage of a final Medicare bill if the version reported by the committee does not meet certain conditions, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Los Angeles County Installs Temporary Management Team at King/Drew Medical Center
Los Angeles County health officials on Thursday installed a temporary management team to oversee operations at Martin Luther King Jr./Drew Medical Center after the hospital received an “unfavorable” assessment that may force the closure of 18 medical residency programs, the Los Angeles Times reports.