Latest California Healthline Stories
Policy Brief Examines Linking Tax Credits to Purchasing Pools
As Congress considers various proposals to use tax credits to help low-income people purchase health insurance, a policy brief by the Center for Studying Health System Change states that those proposals must address the issue of risk, suggesting that linking tax credits to purchasing pools would be one option.
HealthCare Partners Expands into San Fernando Valley
To “broaden its patient base” in the San Fernando Valley, HealthCare Partners Inc. has acquired Greater Valley Medical Group and Greater Valley Physician Associates, the Los Angeles Times reports.
CDC Reports Gun-Related Deaths, Injuries on the Decline
The number of gun-related deaths and injuries in the United States has declined over the past decade, according to a new report by the CDC.
Bush Implements Privacy Rules, Allows for Changes
President Bush yesterday agreed to “move ahead” with a medical privacy regulation issued in the waning days of the Clinton administration, but he “left open the possibility” that his administration may “significantly softe[n]” the rules, the Washington Post reports.
San Mateo General Hospital May Look to Stanford, UCSF for Financial Assistance
To help San Mateo County General Hospital out of a “financial crisis,” officials are considering an alliance with Stanford University Medical Center or University of California-San Francisco Medical Center, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Stanford Medical Center Closes Hospice, Home Health Care Programs
As a first step in a “series of major cost-cutting measures,” Stanford Medical Center will “phas[e] out” its home health care and hospice programs over the next 30 days, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Philip Morris Wants FDA Tobacco Regulation
Lobbying Congress to pass legislation granting the regulatory authority over tobacco is Philip Morris’ “No. 1 priority,” the AP/Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Saint Agnes Sues PacifiCare, Community Medical Centers over ‘Conspiracy’ to End Contract
In an “anticipated” move, Saint Agnes Medical Center on Tuesday sued PacifiCare Health Systems and Community Medical Centers, alleging that the two entities “engaged in covert negotiations” to end PacifiCare’s contract with Saint Agnes and “force the transfer of 61,000 HMO members” to Community, the Fresno Bee reports.
Post Examines Employers’ Campaign Against Patients’ Rights
Nearly 300 companies and trade groups told President Bush in a March 14 letter that many businesses would “stop offering coverage altogether” if federal patients’ rights legislation permits workers to sue employers for care denials, but when pressed further, the firms can provide little evidence to back up this claim, the Washington Post reports.
Medical Privacy Rules Will Take Effect, But Be Altered
The Bush administration announced today that it has decided to allow medical privacy rules issued by President Clinton to take effect as scheduled on April 14, but with the caveat that HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson will modify the regulations over the next few months “to make them more workable,” according to an HHS press release.