sacramento bee

In northern California, Kaiser Permanente is giving patients online access to lab and test results, a step long called for by many patient advocates. The system will give Kaiser patients access to the information via a password-protected Web site. The initiative is part of Kaiser's closely-followed HealthConnect initiative, the non-profit giant's billion-dollar effort to modernize operations by emphasizing electronic medical records and other key new technologies such as …

Marketing for Medicare Part D plans starts on Saturday, and amazingly this story hasn't been given more play until now. Senior citizens who sign up with a new insurance company for their Medicare Part D coverage may wind up losing access to their old insurance, according to officials at CMS and other sources. That could lead to a potential disaster, especially in states like California where more than 18 different plans will be available. Expect to hear a lot of criticism from consumer …

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he supports Proposition 78, the drug industry-backed ballot measure which would establish a prescription drug discount program designed to provide cheaper medicines to the poor and those without access to insurance. Schwarzenegger said he opposes Proposition 79, the more far-reaching alternative supported by some consumer groups and healthcare unions which would require stricter state regulation of drug sales and impose penalties on drug …

The National Governors Association released a set of proposals yesterday designed to help Congress curb Medicaid spending. Many, but not all of the suggestions from the bipartisan group are expected to find support among lawmakers. The group's proposals include giving states the authority to set premiums, deductibles and co-payments for Medicaid participants, and tighter rules governing spending on nursing homes. The Governors also say they want federal backing for pool purchases of both …