Latest California Healthline Stories
Health IT Initiatives Less Likely To Be Hijacked, Officials Say
Health IT systems are less susceptible to the kind of hijacking that put San Francisco’s computer systems in limbo for nine days last month, according to health officials. Security regulations in HIPAA guard against it, they say.
Telemedicine Efforts Target Uninsured, Rural Hispanics
Use of telemedicine is becoming a more common way to treat chronic diseases among specific underserved populations, such as Hispanics. Two programs in the state have had early success using the technology to stave off development of more serious and costly conditions among people with diabetes.
California Could Become National Model for Telemedicine
Given California’s size, large percentage of rural residents and policymakers’ willingness to find innovative ways to boost health care quality, the state is well positioned to become a model for telemedicine adoption and use. To seize this opportunity, the state must first alleviate some of the economical, regulatory and behavioral barriers preventing providers from deploying the technology.
Largest Physician Group in California Seen as National Leader on Price Transparency
The CFO of HealthCare Partners Medical Group and Donald Crane of the California Association of Physicians Groups spoke with California Healthline about HealthCare Partners’ decision to post prices for some services online.
Health Cost Comparison Web Sites Slowly Catching On
Health care cost comparison Web sites are cropping up nationwide, even though cost information does not seem to be the top priority of consumers who researching health information online. Health care experts say that it is only a matter of time before consumers embrace online price comparison tools.
Try, Try Again: Health IT on the Agenda in Congress
A new batch of health information technology bills are on the way, but many measures slated to be introduced in the current session of Congress are revived and revised versions of legislation from 2005. What has changed since the last time they were introduced?
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.
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.
EHR Adoption Efforts Should Focus on Small Practices
A survey of physicians in Massachusetts found that practice size strongly correlated with EHR adoption, as 52% of practices with 7 or more physicians reported using an EHR, compared with just 14% of solo practices.