Latest California Healthline Stories
Proposed Federal Home Care Rules Could Disrupt IHSS Program
Observers say proposed federal home care rules that would require overtime pay for certain caregivers could disrupt California’s In-Home Supportive Services Program by raising costs and prompting restrictions on workers’ hours. Los Angeles Times.
Editorial: CIRM Still Struggles With Conflicts of Interest
A Sacramento Bee editorial posits that while Jonathan Thomas — chair of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine — has vowed to avoid conflicts of interest in allocating public dollars for stem cell research, the institute continues to have “serious conflicts.” For instance, CIRM’s oversight board recently awarded a $20 million grant to StemCells, after the company launched a lobbying effort to win the money and external experts recommended against the award. The authors write, “None of this helps CIRM’s reputation in being fair and impartial in spending $3 billion in public funds.” Sacramento Bee.
Campaign Pushes Smokers To Talk With Their Physicians
As part of CDC’s Tips From Former Smokers anti-smoking initiative, the agency and five physician groups last week launched a multimedia campaign to encourage smokers to discuss ways to quit with their physicians. The campaign is being funded with $48 million from the Affordable Care Act’s Prevention and Public Health Fund. MedPage Today.
House GOP Expands Investigation of Sebelius’ ACA Donation Requests
House Republicans have expanded an investigation into HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ requests for private donations to a group seeking to promote the Affordable Care Act, saying they represent a conflict of interest. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Modern Healthcare.
‘Polarized Congress’ Could Mean No Changes To Affordable Care Act
Many industry stakeholders — including lobbyists and health care providers — are calling for changes to the Affordable Care Act. However, partisan gridlock in Congress could result in the law being implemented next year without any modifications. New York Times et al.
Several Health-Related Bills Fail To Pass Senate Panel
On Friday, the Assembly Appropriations Committee failed to move several health-related bills from the suspense file. Among the bills that failed to pass were AB 187, which would have added a 10% tax on ammunition sales to support mental health and public safety programs; AB 299, which would have prohibited health plans or insurers from making mail-order pharmacies mandatory; and AB 332, which would have required condoms in the adult film industry. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
CIRM Awards $36M To Attract Stem Cell Scientists
On Thursday, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine awarded $36 million to attract stem cell scientists to state research institutions. The funding will go to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, UC-San Diego, UC-Santa Cruz, The J. Gladstone Institutes, Sangamo BioSciences and Stanford University. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area BizTalk.”
Schools, Community Groups Seek To Curb Summer Nutrition Gap
California schools and community groups seek to curb a nutrition gap by providing low-income children with federally funded meals at various sites throughout the state during the summer. Some groups also are offering activities and education to help reduce obesity rates. HealthyCal.
9th U.S. Circuit Court Upholds State’s Plan To Cut Medi-Cal Rates
The full 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a 10% cut to Medi-Cal reimbursements. Although health care providers oppose the cut, state officials say it could generate $50.1 million in general fund savings in the current fiscal year. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
Allow Nurse Practitioners Independence, Editorial Urges
A Sacramento Bee editorial argues that lawmakers should pass a bill that would give nurse practitioners authority to practice independently without having to seek a physician’s signature for “simple, straightforward” medical decisions. The authors write, “[Physicians] worry that allowing nurse practitioners to operate independently would cause competition with primary care doctors and increase fragmentation of care. This is overwrought.” The Senate may vote on the bill as early as Friday. Sacramento Bee.