FROM THE FOUNDATION

End-of-Life Choices

Trends in end-of-life care show that not only does the care given vary widely from region to region and hospital to hospital, but also patients often don't get the care they prefer. What can be done?

Care Management Puzzle

Chronic diseases and the cost of care are rising. Are disease management programs improving outcomes for patients with complex, chronic conditions?

No Middleman

Under the "direct primary care" model, patients pay a monthly fee for basic medical services. Learn about the history and current landscape of physician practices offering this arrangement.

Health IT

Monday, April 23, 2012

FDA Bill Seeks Medical Device Identifier Rule by Year's End

An FDA user fee bill introduced by Sens. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Michael Enzi (R-Wyo.) includes language that would require HHS to issue a final rule establishing a unique device identifier system for medical devices by the end of 2012. The language calls for HHS to implement the UDI system to electronically track and recall faulty medical devices "as soon as practical."



Readers are invited to send feedback to: chl@chcf.org

Click to register for California Healthline