Latest California Healthline Stories
Cal eConnect Set to Absorb CaleRx Consortium
The proposed marshalling of e-forces between Cal eConnect and the CaleRx Consortium has moved forward, and after yesterday’s meeting of Cal eConnect’s advisory group, it looks even more likely that some kind of merger will take place.
“E-prescribing is one of the high priorities for us,” Mark Elson of Cal eConnect said. “We’ve been in discussion with the California E-Prescribing Consortium about consolidating our activities in e-prescribing, and that discussion has been positive. We are now in a position to basically adopt the E-Prescribing Consortium into Cal eConnect.”
Elson said it will soon be presented to the eConnect board, though probably not in time for its next board meeting on Friday. CaleRx members meet on Tuesday.
What About Docs’ Side of Drug Kickbacks?
Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones’ pursuit of a whistle-blower lawsuit against Bristol-Myers Squibb, which allegedly offered kickbacks to physicians to increase its drug sales in California, raises a related question: What about all those physicians — 15,000 gifts have been reported between 1999 and 2005 — who took the bait?
That bait includes sports tickets, expensive meals, all-expense paid trips and honoraria for speakers who sometimes didn’t even show up.
While a code of conduct for physicians is not written in stone, the American Medical Association’s policies usually hold weight with its members. In essence, AMA’s guidelines say that individual gifts of minimal value are permissible as long as the gifts are related to the physician’s work. We’re talking pens and notepads. No gifts should be accepted if there are strings attached, according to AMA. In other words, don’t accept gifts in return for prescribing a manufacturer’s drugs.
L.A.-Area Pharmacists Hope To Write Reform Prescription
Los Angeles-area pharmacists and pharmacy schools struggle with the disparate pressures of a contracting, recession-hampered industry that also faces significant growth as a result of health care reform.
Inland Empire Hospitals Work Around Drug Shortages
Inland Empire hospitals have devised new strategies to deal with drug shortages that have resulted in higher fees for some medications, additional staff time and, at one hospital, delays in elective surgeries.
Alternative Providers Could Help Bridge Gap in Primary Care
Physician assistants and nurse practitioners could help California deal with the dramatic rise in primary care patients expected when federal health care reform kicks in. A new bill in the state Senate outlines greater PA responsibilities and reflects increasing reliance on “alternative” providers.
Congress Returns To Work on Reform With Deadlines Looming
President Obama has said he wants to sign health care reform legislation by October. Looking at the calendar, that means Congress has a lot of work to do in the weeks before it adjourns for its August recess, especially on divisive issues like how to pay for reform and whether to include a public plan.
Officials Grapple With Physician Substance Abuse as State Diversion Program Nears End
Officials from the Medical Board of California, the Department of Medical Affairs and the California Society of Addiction spoke with California Healthline about drug treatment programs for physicians.
More Choices for California Medicare Beneficiaries in 2007
CMS officials are praising California beneficiaries’ wider variety of options for Medicare drug coverage in 2007, but some health care advocates say the increased options could lead to more confusion.
Legislation on Drug Benefit Assistance Stalls
Advocates had supported a bill that would have provided subsidies for drug benefit copayments, and some groups say they will seek similar legislation in 2007.
Medicare Beneficiaries Dealing With ‘Doughnut Hole’
A gap in coverage in Medicare prescription drug plans is emerging as an issue for beneficiaries with high prescription drug costs, particularly those who did not retain employer-sponsored drug coverage.