Women who give birth at top-rated hospitals have fewer complications for Caesarean section and fewer complications for vaginal birth, according to a study. The report compared the quality of maternity and cardiac/stroke care for women at U.S. hospitals in 17 states. The analysis of maternity care included more than 12.5 million hospital delivery and newborn records from 2004 through 2006.
A report has found the higher death rate from colorectal cancer among U.S. minorities may be linked to socioeconomic, healthcare access, language, and cultural barriers that lead to less preventative screening among these groups. While 54% of those surveyed for the report received colorectal cancer screening, great disparities between ethnic and racial groups were apparent. These disparities disappeared, however, when researchers factored out demographics, socioeconomic status, language spoken at home, and healthcare access.
Washington, DC, has launched a subpoena-powered investigation and a lawsuit that asserts the nonprofit CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is obligated to donate millions to the community. Authorities in Washington, DC, and Maryland have criticized CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield in the past for hoarding its annual surpluses despite its federal charter as a "charitable and benevolent institution."
Animosity between officials and the insurance provider intensified of late because CareFirst did not participate in a universal healthcare program that was counting on it for an annual $5 million contribution.
Independence Blue Cross plans to waive co-pays for 75 generic drugs that treat chronic conditions as a way of encouraging patients to take cheaper medicines. The Rx for Better Health program will be in effect from July 1 through December 31 for IBC and AmeriHealth of Pennsylvania subscribers. The program will not apply to those who have Medicare Part D, Medicare discount cards, or those who are members of the Federal Employees Health Benefits program and AmeriHealth of New Jersey or Delaware. The new initiative follows a broader program offered last year, which prompted a 15% increase in generic drug use.
The number of Californians purchasing their own medical coverage continues to rise, as fewer employers are offering group coverage. Consumer advocates are now making efforts to tighten regulation of the individual health insurance market, which they say is "rife with 'junk insurance' policies that provide minimum benefits, such as hospital-only coverage, and don't set limits on out-of-pocket expenses." And it is often impossible to determine what an individual plan covers, causing the insured to find out too late after running up thousands of dollars in medical costs.
The Pennsylvania governor's administration hopes to take advantage of a law that allows the state to get larger rebates than commercial insurers on the purchasing of medication for its Medicaid program by centralizing the purchasing, something currently handled by HMOs, within the state Department of Public Welfare. Supporters say cost savings could total as much as $95 million per year. However, opponents say hidden expenses could drain the anticipated savings.