VISALIA, Calif. — Health officials in three states say at least 27 people have reported illnesses tied to recalled ground beef that may be tainted with salmonella.
Thursday, Fresno-based Beef Packers Inc. recalled 825,769 pounds of ground beef produced from June 5 to June 23.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service says the beef was sent to retail distribution centers in Arizona, California, Colorado and Utah.
The department said Friday that California, Colorado and Wyoming have reported illness that may be linked to the recall.
Colorado health officials say 21 people there have been sickened. All are recovering.
California officials say five people have reported feeling sick. The total number of people ill in Wyoming is unclear.
The beef was repackaged and sold under different retail brand names, so customers are being urged to check with their local store to determine if they bought any of the beef.
A separate recall last month involved beef tied to the hospitalization of 12 people in a possible E. coli outbreak. That meat was produced in Colorado.
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Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Health costs affect businesses
INDIANAPOLIS — Employers who offer health insurance coverage could see a 9 percent cost increase next year, and their workers may face an even bigger hit, according to a report from consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Costs will rise in part because workers worried about losing their jobs are using their health care more while they still have it, the firm said in the report released to The Associated Press. The report also said that rising unemployment is driving up medical costs.
Health care reform legislation being hashed out in Congress likely will have little effect on next year’s costs, PWC Principal Michael Thompson said. But he also noted that the intense focus on health care may slow price increases.
"Nobody wants to be front page news when all the lights are shinning on your industry,” he said.
The report projects the expected cost increase per person for employee benefits plans, and it factors in things such as price increases, as well as utilization changes.
‘Major impact’
Businesses confronted with increases will likely pass some of the burden to employees via higher premiums, deductibles or copays, Thompson said.
"If the underlying costs go up by 9 percent, employees’ costs actually go up by double digits,” he said, noting that will have a "major, major impact” when many employers also are freezing or cutting pay.
A total of 42 percent of employers surveyed said they would increase employees’ share of costs.
The 9 percent increase predicted for 2010, however, represents a slight decrease from the 9.2 percent PWC projected for this year, and 9.9 percent predicted for 2008. A growing use of generic drugs has helped tame spending, according to the most recent survey.
Actual cost increases for this year and last were not available.
Georgetown University health economist Jean Mitchell said she sees one main reason behind any health care cost increase: overutilization. Mitchell, who was not involved with the survey, said health care costs have been rising faster than inflation because the payment system rewards care providers for doing more.
"Until we fix that, we’re never going to be able to rein in health care costs,” she said.
by the associated press
Costs will rise in part because workers worried about losing their jobs are using their health care more while they still have it, the firm said in the report released to The Associated Press. The report also said that rising unemployment is driving up medical costs.
Health care reform legislation being hashed out in Congress likely will have little effect on next year’s costs, PWC Principal Michael Thompson said. But he also noted that the intense focus on health care may slow price increases.
"Nobody wants to be front page news when all the lights are shinning on your industry,” he said.
The report projects the expected cost increase per person for employee benefits plans, and it factors in things such as price increases, as well as utilization changes.
‘Major impact’
Businesses confronted with increases will likely pass some of the burden to employees via higher premiums, deductibles or copays, Thompson said.
"If the underlying costs go up by 9 percent, employees’ costs actually go up by double digits,” he said, noting that will have a "major, major impact” when many employers also are freezing or cutting pay.
A total of 42 percent of employers surveyed said they would increase employees’ share of costs.
The 9 percent increase predicted for 2010, however, represents a slight decrease from the 9.2 percent PWC projected for this year, and 9.9 percent predicted for 2008. A growing use of generic drugs has helped tame spending, according to the most recent survey.
Actual cost increases for this year and last were not available.
Georgetown University health economist Jean Mitchell said she sees one main reason behind any health care cost increase: overutilization. Mitchell, who was not involved with the survey, said health care costs have been rising faster than inflation because the payment system rewards care providers for doing more.
"Until we fix that, we’re never going to be able to rein in health care costs,” she said.
by the associated press
Thursday, May 28, 2009
medical pricing cuts
WASHINGTON — A major health insurer says the government can save more than $500 billion in Medicare spending by sending patients to cheaper, more efficient doctors, reducing hospital visits by the elderly and cutting down on unnecessary care.
Those are among 15 suggestions made Wednesday by UnitedHealth Group Inc., a Minnesota-based health management company that is the biggest participant in the government’s Medicare insurance program for the elderly. United said the proposals added up to $540 billion in savings over 10 years.
Savings or rations?
The proposals come as Congress and the Obama administration are working on a major health care overhaul aimed at reducing costs and extending coverage to 50 million uninsured Americans.
Some of the proposals could be cast as attempts to ration health care — one of the attack lines some conservatives have been using against emerging proposals from the D e m o c r a t i c - c o n t r o l l e d Congress.
Like other groups with an interest in the outcome, UnitedHealth is trying to position itself as a constructive voice in the debate — and avoid becoming a target itself as lawmakers try to reshape the nation’s $2.5 trillion health care system.
"The political debate, in part, is about how do you produce savings that can be used to fund other aspects of health reform legislation, and it’s that part of the political debate that this is a contribution to,” said Simon Stevens, United executive vice president and head of its center for health reform.
Stevens and Dr. Lew Sandy, United’s senior vice president for clinical advancement, said the company had successfully used those techniques to drive down costs and promote quality care.
by the associated press
Those are among 15 suggestions made Wednesday by UnitedHealth Group Inc., a Minnesota-based health management company that is the biggest participant in the government’s Medicare insurance program for the elderly. United said the proposals added up to $540 billion in savings over 10 years.
Savings or rations?
The proposals come as Congress and the Obama administration are working on a major health care overhaul aimed at reducing costs and extending coverage to 50 million uninsured Americans.
Some of the proposals could be cast as attempts to ration health care — one of the attack lines some conservatives have been using against emerging proposals from the D e m o c r a t i c - c o n t r o l l e d Congress.
Like other groups with an interest in the outcome, UnitedHealth is trying to position itself as a constructive voice in the debate — and avoid becoming a target itself as lawmakers try to reshape the nation’s $2.5 trillion health care system.
"The political debate, in part, is about how do you produce savings that can be used to fund other aspects of health reform legislation, and it’s that part of the political debate that this is a contribution to,” said Simon Stevens, United executive vice president and head of its center for health reform.
Stevens and Dr. Lew Sandy, United’s senior vice president for clinical advancement, said the company had successfully used those techniques to drive down costs and promote quality care.
by the associated press
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
U.S. health insurers offer lower rates
WASHINGTON — Health insurance companies, facing the threat of a government health plan, offered Tuesday to reduce rates for millions of women and accept close federal regulation of their industry.
The industry is trying to head off creation of a government health plan that would compete with them to enroll middle-class workers. President Barack Obama and many Democrats favor such a plan, but the companies say it would drive them out of business.
Employer groups also are leery, fearing a public plan would entice young, healthy workers by offering lower premiums.
"We are not asking people to trust us, we are asking people to trust government,” Karen Ignagni, president of America’s Health Insurance Plans, told a Senate panel that is crafting sweeping legislation to overhaul the nation’s $2.5 trillion health care system.
Instead of a government plan as a check on their industry, insurers are offering to accept a series of consumer protections they contend would add up to a fairer marketplace and help reduce the ranks of the 50 million uninsured.
Finance Committee leaders are hoping to bring a bill concerning the topic to the Senate floor this summer. The broad outlines will follow Obama’s campaign proposal, which builds on the current system of shared responsibility among employers, government and individuals.
by the associated press
The industry is trying to head off creation of a government health plan that would compete with them to enroll middle-class workers. President Barack Obama and many Democrats favor such a plan, but the companies say it would drive them out of business.
Employer groups also are leery, fearing a public plan would entice young, healthy workers by offering lower premiums.
"We are not asking people to trust us, we are asking people to trust government,” Karen Ignagni, president of America’s Health Insurance Plans, told a Senate panel that is crafting sweeping legislation to overhaul the nation’s $2.5 trillion health care system.
Instead of a government plan as a check on their industry, insurers are offering to accept a series of consumer protections they contend would add up to a fairer marketplace and help reduce the ranks of the 50 million uninsured.
Finance Committee leaders are hoping to bring a bill concerning the topic to the Senate floor this summer. The broad outlines will follow Obama’s campaign proposal, which builds on the current system of shared responsibility among employers, government and individuals.
by the associated press
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