Latest California Healthline Stories
Report: Medicaid Expansion Could Boost Residents’ Overall Health
A scorecard from the Commonwealth Fund shows that just eight of the top 25 best performing states in overall health have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The report suggests that health disparities between residents living in non-expansion states and individuals in states that have expanded Medicaid could reach all-time highs. USA Today, MedPage Today.
U.S. Regions With Highest Air Pollution Are in Calif., Report Finds
A new American Lung Association report finds that the five U.S. regions with the most air pollution are located in California. Los Angeles-Long Beach has the highest level of ozone pollution nationally, while Fresno-Madera has the highest level of short-term particle pollution nationally. Vallejo Times-Herald et al.
CMS Releases Final Rule for New Payment System for Health Centers
CMS has published a final rule to implement a new payment system called for under the Affordable Care Act that will increase Medicare reimbursements for federally qualified health centers by as much as $1.3 billion over the next five years. CMS says it will begin transitioning about 8,900 FQHCs to the new reimbursement system on Oct. 1. Bloomberg, Modern Healthcare.
Ventura County Health Entities Discuss Benefits of Measuring Community Health
On Tuesday, officials from Dignity Health St. John’s Hospitals, Simi Valley Hospital, Ventura County Public Health, Kaiser Permanente and Community Memorial Health System discussed methods for measuring the health of a community and the benefits that can be gained from helping people better understand their health needs. The officials also shared findings from a health needs survey that showed less than half of respondents were confident in their ability to manage certain health issues. Ventura County Star.
500 at Sacramento-Area High School To Be Tested for TB
About 500 students and staff members at Grant Union High School in Sacramento will undergo testing for tuberculosis after 47 people at the school were diagnosed with latent TB. The dormant version of the illness is not contagious, but it can become active after years of showing no symptoms. Sacramento Bee.
UCLA To Return Kidney Research Donation From Sterling Foundation After NBA Sanctions
On Tuesday, UCLA announced that it will return $425,000 meant for kidney research to the Donald T. Sterling Charitable Foundation after the organization’s namesake — the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team — was sanctioned this week by the National Basketball Association for making negative comments about blacks. The university also is canceling a plan to accept a total of $3 million in research donations from the foundation over seven years. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now.”
Senate Committee Hearing on Burwell Set for May 8
Sylvia Mathews Burwell — President Obama’s nominee to replace outgoing HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius — is scheduled to appear before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on May 8 for the first of two confirmation hearings, according to a panel spokesperson. Burwell is the current director of the White House Office of Management and Budget. Reuters.
Eight Sacramento Companies Awarded for Their Employee Wellness Programs
Eight Sacramento companies have been awarded for the wellness programs they offer their employees, including the California Dental Association, Kaiser Permanente and Western Health Advantage. The awards were given out by the Sacramento Business Journal. Sacramento Business Journal.
Calif. EPA Releases Updated Tool To Identify Areas With Environment-Related Health Issues
The California Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment has released an updated tool that ranks areas of the state based on 19 indicators of how vulnerable they are to health problems. The updated version includes data for the state’s 8,000 census tracts, as well as new indicators for drinking water quality and unemployment rates. Sacramento Bee, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment report.
Calif. Senate Panel Delays Sugary Drink Warning Label Bill Over Costs
A bill that would have required soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages to include a warning label about potential health effects has been shelved by a state Senate panel. Lawmakers decided to hold the bill until its enforcement costs can undergo further review. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”