Latest California Healthline Stories
Online Hospital, Physician Ratings Advance Transparency in California Health Care
The ratings drew strong reactions from some low-scoring hospitals. California Healthline spoke with David Carlisle of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development and Robert Schott of Sutter Medical Center.
CalPERS Investment in New Venture Capital Firm Focused on Health Care Improvements
CalPERS has invested $700 million to help launch a private equity fund headed by David Brailer, a former Bush administration official. Brailer and Clark McKinley of CalPERS spoke with California Healthline about the fund.
Telemedicine Network at the Forefront of Schwarzenegger’s Agenda for Health IT
California is pushing a plan to link more than 300 health care providers through a statewide network. Michael Liang in the governor’s office and Jana Katz Bell at UC-Davis spoke to California Healthline.
PBGH, California Insurers Team Up on Transparency Initiative Backed by Medicare
Leaders from the Pacific Business Group on Health, Blue Shield of California and the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development talked to California Healthline about the project’s implications for state residents.
Study Shows Disparities in End-of-Life Care
California has a diverse population, but nearly three-fourths of its hospice patients are white, a recent study found. Researcher LaVera Crawley said cultural differences can be a barrier between providers and patients.
SPECIAL AUDIO REPORT: Medi-Cal Will Be a Guiding Force in Expanding Health IT
Ann Boynton of the Health and Human Services Agency said adoption of electronic health records will depend on what kind of incentives the state offers to doctors who participate in California’s Medicaid program.
SPECIAL AUDIO REPORT: CMA Chief Says Health Care Reform Within Reach
Joe Dunn said “of course” CMA opposes a provision of the governor’s health care plan that calls for physician contributions but that he has “cautious optimism” about the prospects for reform in California’s this year.
SPECIAL AUDIO REPORT: Does California Need a Health IT Czar?
Stakeholders at the recent summit meeting for the California Regional Health Information Organization discuss recommendations for advancing health information technology in California. Audio.
SPECIAL AUDIO REPORT: Tobacco Tax Likely Main Health Issue in Election
Health care and political players in California say that health care will play a role in the gubernatorial election but that a ballot initiative to increase the state tobacco tax to fund health care programs likely will be the major health care issue in the November election. Audio.
SPECIAL AUDIO REPORT: Government, Health IT Strengthen Pay-for-Performance Programs
Medicare involvement would bring “a huge amount of energy and focus to performance measurement,” according to Tom Williams, executive director of the Integrated Health Association. Audio.