Daily News - November 25, 2009
Daily News Headlines
Hospital bleeding debt
RecordNet - Zachary K. Johnson
San Joaquin General Hospital's deficit increased by $2 million more than expected during the first quarter of the fiscal year that began July 1. The average number of filled beds was lower than expected, which accounted for part of the shortfall, according to hospital officials. And those patients who did seek medical care were more likely to be indigent or uninsured.
Industry News
Vaccine system remains antiquated
Washington Post - Rob Stein
After a lethal bird flu virus emerged in Asia, U.S. officials launched an intense effort to build new defenses against a pandemic, including replacing an antiquated vaccine system, which depends on millions of chicken eggs. But six years later, as Americans from Washington to California line up to get inoculated against the swine flu, the slow progress toward developing better ways to make a vaccine has become glaringly obvious.
Feeling farther from the finish
Washington Post - Dana Milbank
Nancy Brinker, the breast cancer activist who painted the world pink, was feeling blue. She spent three decades keeping women abreast of the need for cancer detection with her pink ribbons and her Race for the Cure, and the percentage of U.S. women receiving mammograms nearly doubled, to two-thirds. But then last week, in one cruel and clumsy blow, a federal task force wiped out much of the progress.
From the Hospital to Bankruptcy Court
New York Times - Kevin Sack
Some of the debtors sitting forlornly in this city’s old stone bankruptcy court have lost a job or gotten divorced. Others have been summoned to face their creditors because they spent mindlessly beyond their means. But all too often these days, they are there merely because they, or their children, got sick. Wes and Katie Covington, from Smyrna, Tenn., were already in debt from a round of fertility treatments when complications with her pregnancy and surgery on his knee left them with unmanageable bills.
Specialty hospital plans no longer proposed as doctor-owned
San Jose Business Journal - Katherine Conrad
Potential litigation from the medical establishment has not deterred Bobby Sarnevesht from his quest to open a specialty surgical hospital in Campbell. But the owner of Bay Area Surgical Group Inc. is modifying his proposal to include a free medical clinic for Campbell residents, as well as a 24-hour urgent care facility and surgical services.
San Ramon Regional to break ground on $10.7M expansion project
San Francisco Business Times - Chris Rauber
San Ramon Regional Medical Center, one of the few Bay Area hospitals owned by a for-profit company, said late Tuesday it will break ground on a $10.7 million ER and clinical laboratory expansion project Dec. 15. Officials at the 123-bed San Ramon hospital said construction is expected to be complete within 18 to 24 months. San Jose’s Cuschieri Horton Architects designed the project, and Harbison-Mahony-Higgins Builders Inc., is its general contractor.
Politics and Government
Budget Hawks Have a Buffet of Options With Health Bill
New York Times - David Leonhardt
If the Senate were going to write a new rule for Medicare payments meant to slow the growth of medical costs, you might think that the rule would apply to hospitals and doctors. A fair amount of medical care is, after all, provided by hospitals and doctors. But the Senate’s health reform bill exempts hospitals from just such a rule until 2019.
Is tax on 'Cadillac' health insurance plans fair?
USA Today - Carla K. Johnson, The Associated Press
Schoolteacher Kinzi Blair makes only $46,000 a year, but she has what many would consider a "Cadillac" health plan, now targeted for a big tax increase by health reformers. She has $10 copays and no deductible. She gets generic prescription drugs for $10. Her plan covers mental health counseling, organ transplants, acupuncture. It covers speech therapy for preschoolers and in vitro fertilization.
Reform Efforts Could Undermine Credit for Hospitals in Urban Areas
California Healthline
High-cost urban U.S. hospitals could see their debt ratings downgraded if current health care reform efforts include large cuts to Medicare funding, according to Moody's Investors Service, Reuters reports. Research has found large variations in hospital charges in different regions (Linnane, Reuters, 11/23). Most of the 17 regions where Medicare spends the most per beneficiary are urban or densely populated areas (Evans, Modern Healthcare, 11/23).
Sutter accused of role in Marin healthcare district's unexpected costs
Contra Costa Times - Richard Halstead
Unexpected costs totaling more than $4 million for creation of a new Marin General Hospital computer system were approved this week by the Marin Healthcare District board. The district will pay out most of that amount, $2.9 million, to its computer vendor over the next seven years. But $1.1 million will have to be paid soon after the district regains control of the hospital from Sutter Health in June 2010, increasing pressure on the district to secure adequate start-up capital.
Opinion/Editorial
A pro athlete's lament: U.S. health care discriminates
USA Today - Garrett Broshuis
If baseball and health care were thrust into a formal logic argument, it might look like this: All those who are rich have health insurance. All professional baseball players are rich. Therefore, all professional players have health insurance.
Health-care reform survives another close one
Merced Sun-Star
Once again, the proposed overhaul of the nation's health-care system defied the odds this past weekend and managed to overcome another obstacle as it moves ever so slowly through the legislative maze on Capitol Hill. Supporters of reform are angry and frustrated over the hesitation of moderate Democrats like Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Ben Nelson of Nebraska.
Valley could get more doctors if state law amended
Modesto Bee - Larry A. Bedard
Let's not overlook an obvious and easy solution to the San Joaquin Valley's doctor shortage. California's health care crisis is hitting the San Joaquin Valley especially hard. Rep. Dennis Cardoza authored a column (Nov. 13, Page A-15) explaining his position of support for the Making Health Care Affordable Act, which passed in the House of Representatives.
Blogs
Will Joe Lieberman Be the Only Dem to Sabotage Health Reform?
AlterNet - Steve Benen, Washington Monthly
WHAT TO DO ABOUT JOE.... Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), refusing to allow a vote on any health care bill that subjects private insurers to any competition at all, told the WSJ yesterday, "I'm going to be stubborn on this." Stubborn, he means, in opposing any health-care overhaul that includes a "public option," or government-run health-insurance plan, as the current bill does. His opposition is strong enough that Mr. Lieberman says he won't vote to let a bill come to a final vote if a public option is included.