Latest California Healthline Stories
CPOE Study Draws Strong Reaction From Medical, IT Community
A March study on computer physician order entry systems in the Journal of the American Medical Association has continued to elicit reaction from the health care and information technology communities, with some stakeholders saying media coverage of the report could slow implementation efforts.
New Medicare Drug Benefit Excludes Some Medicines
The new Medicare drug benefit does not provide coverage for all classes of prescription drugs, and some patient advocates are particularly concerned about the exclusion of benzodiazepines.
CNA Efforts Expand Beyond California’s Borders
Although some nurses have welcomed the California Nurses Association as it seeks to expand the scope of its work, other nurse unions and hospital operators have been critical of CNA’s efforts on nurse representation and broader health care policy initiatives.
Data From Medicare Drug Benefit Eyed for Rx Safety Project
CMS Administrator Mark McClellan in May proposed using prescription drug information collected through the new Medicare drug benefit to improve FDA surveillance systems. McClellan and HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt have said personal data will remain secure, but some advocates have raised questions.
Additional Subsidies Available to Some Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries
Low-income Medicare beneficiaries will be eligible for some additional financial assistance under the new drug benefit, but some consumer advocates have raised questions about outreach efforts.
Medem Launches No-Cost Electronic Health Records Service
Medem earlier this month launched no-cost electronic personal health records for the general public, a development that some observers say could spur wider adoption of health care information technology.
California, Federal Officials Address Medi-Cal Funding Strategies
California and 14 other states are in talks with federal officials to address some accounting practices related to Medicaid. California officials say the practices are legitimate but have agreed to some changes requested by CMS officials.
California Insurers Expect Widespread Participation in Medicare Drug Benefit
Although some critics have questioned how many health plans will sign on to offer prescription drug coverage to Medicare beneficiaries, California health plans in urban and rural areas alike say they will participate in the Medicare drug benefit program. Some advocates continue to voice concerns about how health plans will implement the program and what beneficiaries can expect.
Debate Over Hospital Prices Plays Out in California
An ongoing debate about potential cost savings from changes CalPERS made in its Blue Shield of California HMO network highlights price tensions between hospitals and health care payers, with a recent state analysis raising some questions about savings estimates and new legislation being introduced to make CalPERS’ health care decision-making more transparent.
Proposals Could Affect Federal Funding for Medi-Cal
California residents send more federal taxes to Washington, D.C., than they receive in federal funding in part because of the state’s demographic make up. However, proposals for Medicaid funding are under consideration that could increase or decrease the federal contribution to Medi-Cal.