Latest California Healthline Stories
Physicians, Patients File Suit Against San Francisco Health Department Over Access to Care
A group of physicians and patients is suing San Francisco city officials over allegations that they “have illegally reduced county health services” and have “left hundreds of medical jobs vacant without giving required public notice,” the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Syphilis Rates Among Women, Infants Down Since 1997
The rate of babies born with congenital syphilis in 2000 dropped 51% from 1997, the year before the CDC began the National Syphilis Elimination Plan, intended to reduce disease rates in adults, according to a nationwide CDC study published in the July 13 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Closure of Two San Diego-Area Nursing Homes Leaves County with 310 Fewer Long Term Care Beds
One San Diego County nursing home plans to close at the end of the month, and a second facility closed last week, leaving the county with 310 fewer beds for patients who require long term care, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Most States Do Little to Discourage Medicaid Fraud, Report Finds
“Medicaid is at risk for billions of dollars in improper payments” because states are not doing enough to control payment accuracy and fraud, a report released Tuesday by the General Accounting Office found.
Study Finds 10% of U.S. Hospitals ‘Dumped’ Patients from 1997-1999
About 10% of U.S. hospitals, including 77 in California, were cited by the federal government from 1997 to 1999 for failing to comply with a law requiring them to provide emergency care to all patients regardless of whether they are insured or have the ability to pay, according to a report released yesterday by Public Citizen.
Medicare Part A Surplus May Be Needed to Balance Budget
With the slowing economy “squeezing” federal revenue, Office of Management and Budget Director Mitch Daniels said yesterday “for the first time” that the federal government may have to “tap” the Medicare Part A trust fund in order to avoid a deficit, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Bay Area Dialysis Clinics Failing to Meet the ‘Surge in Demand’
With the number of kidney disease patients expected to double in the next decade, kidney dialysis clinics “aren’t opening fast enough to meet the surge in demand,” especially in the “high-priced” Bay area, the San Jose Mercury News reports.
Stanford’s HMO Pullout May Overwhelm Area Providers
Stanford University Medical Center’s announcement in May that it will not renew its six HMO contracts at the end of the year has raised concerns that area providers will be unable to handle the 50,000 patients who could be affected by the move, the San Francisco Business Times reports.
Venter, Insurance Industry Face Off on Genetic Discrimination Bill
Testifying before a House Energy and Commercetrade and consumer protection subcommittee, Celera Genomics Corp. President Craig Venter urged lawmakers to outlaw genetic discrimination by approving a bill that would prohibit companies from denying insurance to people based on their genetic characteristics, Reuters/Contra Costa Times reports.
Davis Announces $50M Prostate Cancer Treatment Program for the Uninsured
Gov. Gray Davis (D) yesterday announced a statewide program designed to provide low-income men with care for prostate cancer, the Sacramento Bee reports.