Latest California Healthline Stories
Contra Costa County Health Services Department ‘Efficient and Well-Run,’ Audit Finds
The Contra Costa County Health Services Department is “efficient and well-run,” according to an independent audit released Monday, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Los Angeles County Supervisors Approve $820M Project To Rebuild County-USC Medical Center
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved an $820 million project to rebuild County-USC Medical Center, which was badly damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Wall Street Journal Examines Drug Companies Intensified Interest in Continuing Medical Education
The Wall Street Journal today looks at how drug companies are “stepping up” their participation and influence in continuing medical education courses.
Sutter Roseville Service Workers Approve Contract Against Union Recommendation
Service workers at Sutter Roseville Medical Center yesterday voted to approve a new three-year contract against the recommendation of their union, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Los Angeles County To Request 20,000 Doses of Smallpox Vaccine
Los Angeles County plans to request 20,000 doses of smallpox vaccine for emergency health care workers, as well as for some police officers and firefighters, and the Department of Health Services plans to request an additional 40,000 to 50,000 doses for other areas of the state as part of their bioterrorism preparedness plans, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Washington Post Looks at Lack of Progress in Reducing Medical Errors Since IOM Report
The Washington Post today looks at the lack of “significant progress” in the effort to reduce medical errors since the release of an Institute of Medicine report in 1999 that found that preventable medical errors lead to the death of as many as 98,000 hospitalized U.S. patients every year and injure 1 million more.
Tenet, Health Net Reach Agreement on Contract that Eliminates Stop-Loss Payments
Tenet Healthcare, in an effort to “repair its reputation” following several inquiries into its business practices, came to terms on a deal yesterday with Health Net that changes the way Tenet charges the insurer for hospital costs, Reuters/New York Times reports.
Associated Press Examines Nursing Shortage in California
The Associated Press on Friday examined the nursing shortage in California, which the Employment Development Department estimates will require 30,000 additional registered nurses in the next four years.
California Physicians Accept Fewer Managed Care Patients, CHCF Survey Finds
The number of California physicians who accept new patients with HMO coverage decreased in 2001/2002, and fewer physicians participated in “California Model” managed care organizations, according to a study released yesterday by the California HealthCare Foundation.
Blue Shield of California CEO Proposes Universal Care Plan To Cover All Californians
Blue Shield of California Chair, President and CEO Bruce Bodaken has proposed that California adopt a universal care system that would provide “an essential benefits package” through private or public health insurers for every state resident, the New York Times reports.