Latest California Healthline Stories
UCLA Report Links ‘Medical Homes’ With Preventive Care
A UCLA policy brief finds that patients who lack a consistent health care provider appear less likely to receive regular preventive care. Patients without a “medical home” also are less confident about managing their health, UCLA says. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of May 31, 2013
Members of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United took part in a labor strike at Good Samaritan Hospital and Regional Medical Center last week. VA Medical Center in San Francisco seeks to form a partnership to fund a $500 million hospital and research facility.
GOP Senators Call for Formal Probe of Sebelius’ ACA Funding Requests
Three Republican Senate leaders have called for HHS Inspector General Daniel Levinson to launch an investigation into HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ requests for private donations to a campaign focused on implementing and raising awareness of the Affordable Care Act. Modern Healthcare et al.
Supreme Court Weighs Whether Non-Nurses Can Give Shots to School Kids
The California Supreme Court has heard arguments about whether the state’s Nursing Practice Act requires that licensed nurses administer insulin injections and other medications to children attending public schools. The Supreme Court must deliver a ruling on the issue within 90 days. Los Angeles Times.
Campaign Seeks To Replace Sugary Drinks With Water
First 5 Contra Costa and Healthy and Active Before 5 have collaborated to launch a public advertising campaign to encourage parents in Contra Costa County to substitute sugary drinks with water for toddlers and preschoolers. Leaders of the collaborative said they seek to reduce children’s risk for obesity, tooth decay and type 2 diabetes, among other ailments. Contra Costa Times.
Data Breaches Affected 16 California Agencies in 2012
In 2012, 16 California agencies — including health care departments — and affiliated not-for-profits reported major data breaches, according to state data. For example, an unencrypted computer containing confidential information on 4,400 patients with AIDS was stolen in April 2012 from a state Department of Public Health service provider in Palms Springs. In November 2012, the Department of Health Care Services unintentionally posted online 14,000 Social Security numbers for in-home care workers. Center for Investigative Reporting.
Study: ACA Helps Curb Young Adults’ Large Hospital Bills
A significant number of young adults were protected against large hospital bills because of a provision in the Affordable Care Act allowing them to gain coverage under their parents’ plans, according to a study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. For the study, researchers at RAND Corporation analyzed the hospital records of more than 480,000 young adults who visited the emergency department between 2009 and 2011 for treatment of several severe conditions, such as bone fractures, poison and traumatic brain injuries. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules.”
More Than 120 Insurers Applied To Participate in Federal Exchanges
Federal data released yesterday show that more than 120 insurers have applied to sell plans through the federally run insurance exchanges under the Affordable Care Act. Officials say about 90% of “target enrollees” will have at least five health insurers from which to choose. Reuters et al.
CIRM Discusses $70M Plan To Develop ‘Alpha Clinics’
During a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine President Alan Trounson announced that CIRM is developing a $70-million plan to establish “alpha clinics” statewide as part of a strategy to cut costs and accelerate enrollment in clinical trials for stem cell therapies. CIRM’s governing board is expected to vote on the plan later this year. San Francisco Business Times‘ “SFBiotech.”
Study: Immigrants Pay More Into Medicare Than They Receive in Benefits
A study published in Health Affairs finds that documented and undocumented immigrants have paid $14 billion more annually into Medicare than they have received in benefits. The report challenges the belief that immigrants drain Medicare resources. Los Angeles Times et al.