Health insurance costs can vary by as much as 26% among different metropolitan areas within the state, according to an analysis by Citizen Action, a coalition of labor unions and grass-roots groups.
Comprehensive women's health care will no longer be available in Jefferson County next year if full ownership of Exempla Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge is transferred as planned to a Catholic health organization, according to critics of the plan.
Thanks to supplemental grants from the government and Kaiser Permanente, the Redwood Community Health Coalition, the largest nonprofit community health center network in California, has secured electronic medical record and practice management software for 10 centers operating 18 sites of care. Working with eClinicalWorks, a Westborough, MA-based, privately held company that specializes in ambulatory clinical systems, RCHC will be able to better ensure continuity of patient care, save money, and help the community by providing population health management data. Additionally, eClinicalWorks is providing RCHC a patient portal that will provide a secure way for patients to communicate with their doctors, make appointments online, view lab results, and enter further information about their conditions. In addition to those features, eClinicalWorks' Electronic Health Exchange tool will allow RCHC to enable the health centers to view and update electronic charts. A large part of RHCH's patient population are the working poor and uninsured, serving rural, suburban and urban communities with a population of roughly 1 million. For more information about the RCHC, visit its Web site at www.rchc.net.
Revolution Health Network has invested in two new Web sites, a move that continues its effort to challenge WebMD. Revolution said it acquired a site devoted to patients with chronic conditions, and invested in another which offers diet ideas, exercise plans and advice.
An expected vote on legislation overhauling California's $170 billion healthcare system has been postponed indefinitely. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and legislative leaders continue to disagree on elements of the plan from tax subsidies to insurance reform.
St. Luke's Hospital will not lose its newborn intensive care unit but rather will see a change in services under a compromise proposal announced by executives of California Pacific Medical Center. The plan to shift the neonatal intensive care unit into a special care nursery represents a significant reduction in medical care, said St. Luke's medical staff who spoke at hearing before the San Francisco Health Commission.
Across the country, doctors, insurers and healthcare executives are donating much more to Democratic candidates than in past campaigns. Some say the trend is an indication that the industry is ready for major change to the healthcare system.
The Little Clinic, a Brentwood, TN-based chain of convenience care clinics, is plannning to open three locations inside Kroger grocery stores in Tennessee. The clinics are staffed by advanced nurse practioners who can diagnose, prognose and write prescriptions for treatments for common illnesses. They also offer general check-ups, physicals, back-to-school and sports exams, screenings and a number of vaccinations.
During a meeting with analysts and investors, UnitedHealth Group executives acknowledged missteps that have frustrated patients and doctors and cost it customers. The executives said the nation's second-largest health insurer is working to improve.
Massachusetts health officials say the state is in danger of losing its lead in implementing electronic medical records and needs to quickly decide how to pay for the new systems and what role government should play. The officials are scheduled to attend a conference, hosted by the Massachusetts Health Policy Forum that will explore ways to apply lessons learned from the Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative.
