Latest California Healthline Stories
Medical Errors Rarely Reported to National Databank
Despite a federal law mandating that managed care organizations and hospitals report disciplinary actions against doctors for incompetence or misconduct, 84% of HMOs and 60% of hospitals did not report a single “adverse action” from 1990 to 1999, according to a new report from the HHS inspector general.
On Uninsured, Los Angeles Mayoral Candidates Support Business Involvement, Oppose Use of Taxes
While both Los Angeles mayoral candidates, City Attorney James Hahn (D) and former state Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa (D), say they will use the “power of the office” to help the uninsured, both are “adamant” that no city taxes be used to address the problem, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Insurers Use Disease Management Programs to Cut Costs
To control costs associated with treating chronic conditions, health insurers are increasingly turning to disease management programs, the Hartford Courant reports.
Lawmakers, Lobbyists Discuss Medical Marijuana Registry Bill
Medical marijuana advocates Wednesday will meet with lobbyists representing physicians and law enforcement officials “to begin wrestling over details” of a measure that would establish a patient registry for medical marijuana users, the Los Angeles Times reports.
CalPERS Considers Moving Prescription Coverage to Pharmacy Benefits Manager
After spending $264.9 million on prescription drugs last year, CalPERS is considering delegating prescription purchases for its plans to a pharmacy benefits manager, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Bill Would Require Hospitals to Seek Family Members of Patients Unable to Communicate
The California Legislature is considering legislation that would require hospitals to “make a good-faith effort” to notify family members of patients who are unconscious or “otherwise unable to communicate,” the Los Angeles Times reports.
The Health on the Net Foundation (HON), which accredits health-related Web sites, is facing financial “uncertainty” after its main backer announced it would not renew its support when the current contract expires in December, Reuters reports.
State Seizes Maxicare Health Plan, Company Files for Bankruptcy
The California Department of Managed Health Care on Friday “seized control” of Maxicare Health Plans Inc. in a “drastic attempt to prevent the Los Angeles-based HMO from slipping into insolvency,” the Los Angeles Times reports.
New FTC Chair Confirmed, Will Continue Generic Drug Probe
The Senate has confirmed Timothy Muris to head the Federal Trade Commission, and the new chair indicated that he would continue the agency’s investigation into “alleged anticompetitive pacts” between large pharmaceutical companies and generic drug makers to keep cheaper drugs off the market, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Congress OKs Tax Cut Plan Amid Medicare Concerns
The House and Senate on Saturday approved an 11-year, $1.35 trillion tax cut package despite concerns from Democrats that the bill could send the nation “back in a fiscal hole just as it confronted the costs of paying retirement and health benefits of an aging population,” the New York Times reports.