Latest California Healthline Stories
Physicians Often Withhold Information About Treatments Not Covered by Health Insurance, Survey Finds
Physicians often withhold information about treatments from their patients when the health insurance that their patients have does not cover the treatments, according to a survey in the current issue of Health Affairs, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Molina Healthcare IPO One of the ‘Best Performing’ This Year
Long Beach-based HMO Molina Healthcare had one of the year’s “best performing” initial public stock offerings, with shares rising 14% from $17.50 to $20 per share on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Senate Republicans Move To Bring Medical Malpractice Bill to Floor for Vote
Senate Republicans yesterday moved to force debate and a formal vote on a bill that would cap noneconomic damages in medical malpractice lawsuits at $250,000, the Washington Post reports.
New York Times Examines Senate Prospects for Medical Malpractice Bill
The New York Times yesterday examined the Senate prospects of a bill that would cap noneconomic damages in medical malpractice lawsuits at $250,000.
Key Issues Could Cause Contention in Medicare Legislation Conference Committee
With the House and Senate preparing to launch a conference committee to reconcile the Medicare reform bills (HR 1 and S 1) passed by each chamber, there are several “hurdles” that could make negotiations difficult, the Washington Times reports.
Sacramento Bee Examines Bills To Allow State To Fine Violators of Nurse-to-Patient Staff Ratios
The Sacramento Bee yesterday examined two bills under consideration in the Legislature that would allow Department of Health Services investigators to fine hospitals that do not comply with recently enacted nurse-to-patient staff ratios.
Federal Report Criticizes Metropolitan State Hospital’s Care for Children
Following an investigation launched in June 2002, the U.S. Department of Justice said that the Norwalk-based Metropolitan State Hospital’s program for children and teenagers is not in compliance with the federal Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act and is “fostering despair and hopelessness” among its patients, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Department of Veterans Affairs To Offer Patients Online Access to Medical Records
The Department of Veterans Affairs will allow patients to access their medical records online and could allow the VA to share patient data electronically with other providers as part of the agency’s MyHealtheVet program, American Medical News reports.
Government Agencies Understaffed, Unprepared for Bioterrorist Threats, Report Finds
The government’s biodefense agencies could become overwhelmed in the event of a bioterrorist attack because of shortages in skilled medical and scientific employees, according to a Partnership for Public Service study that will be released tomorrow, the New York Times reports.
Federal Oversight of State Medicaid Waivers Lacking, General Accounting Office Says
Although the Bush administration maintains that it has increased the number of Medicaid waivers it approves, it has “not fully complied with the statutory and regulatory requirements” to monitor quality of care after states implement the waivers, according to a report released yesterday by the General Accounting Office, the New York Times reports.