Latest California Healthline Stories
USA Today Examines Trend of Physician-Owned ‘Specialty Centers’
USA Today examines the trend of physicians who become “hospital entrepreneurs” by investing in “specialty centers” that focus on services such as cardiac care and orthopedic surgery.
Increased Prescription Drug Spending May Reduce U.S. Health Care Costs, Survey Finds
Greater spending on prescription drugs may lead to decreased inpatient hospital and other health care costs, according to a new survey of disease management organizations.
Financial Incentives Offered to Physicians by MCOs Do Not Affect Patient Trust, Study Finds
The disclosure of financial incentives that managed care organizations offer to doctors to control health care costs does not affect patient trust in physicians or health insurers, according to a study published in the current issue of Health Affairs.
Two California lawmakers recently discussed the difficulties that they faced in Congress over the past few years with plans to increase Medicare+Choice reimbursements and create a Medicare prescription drug benefit, issues that could play a role in the November elections, the Ventura County Star reports.
Assembly member Rod Wright (D-Los Angeles) has introduced a bill (AB 2930) that would require doctors to test all pregnant women for HIV before or at the time of delivery.
San Francisco Health Officials Ask FDA to Warn Consumers on Viagra, Gonorrhea Transmission Link
San Francisco public health officials have asked the FDA to change the warning label of Viagra to indicate that the impotence drug is linked to gonorrhea transmission, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Mammograms Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer Deaths by 21% Among Women Ages 40 to 74, Swedish Study Finds
In the latest in the ongoing debate over the effectiveness of mammograms, a new analysis of four Swedish mammogram studies indicates that the test can reduce breast cancer deaths, the Washington Post reports.
The FDA is considering requiring more tests on the effect of pharmaceuticals on the environment during the drug approval process, the New York Times reports.
HHS Officials Urge Lawmakers to Reform Medicare Part B Prescription Drug Reimbursement System
HHS officials yesterday asked lawmakers at a hearing of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health to reform the Medicare Part B prescription drug reimbursement system, which they blamed for “wasting billions of dollars” in federal funds, USA Today reports.
Assembly member Wilma Chan (D-Oakland) plans to introduce a package of bills this year to improve children’s health in the state in response to a report released yesterday by the Assembly Select Committee on California Children’s School Readiness and Health, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.