Latest California Healthline Stories
Exchange Grant To Boost Spanish-Language Outreach
UC-Davis plans to use a $1 million federal grant distributed by Covered California to work with El Concilio — a state council for Spanish speakers — on an initiative to educate nearly 133,000 primarily Spanish-speaking residents of the Central Valley about the state health insurance exchange. The initiative will use lay community outreach workers trained to provide basic information about the exchange. Sacramento Business Journal.
Senate Clears Bill To Use Prop. 63 Funds for Laura’s Law
On Monday, the state Senate unanimously approved a bill, by Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg, that would let counties to use Proposition 63 money for Laura’s Law, which allows courts to require treatment for residents with severe mental health conditions and a history of violence or hospitalization. Prop. 63 — also known as the Mental Health Services Act — raises $1 billion a year through a 1% tax on residents with incomes greater than $1 million annually. The bill now moves to the Assembly. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Reports Find Variation in Prostate, Breast Cancer Treatments Across Calif.
The California HealthCare Foundation has released two reports that find variations in treatment for prostate and breast cancer according to where patients live in the state. Experts say the findings indicate that physicians most often are determining treatments. Contra Costa Times.
OIG Rule: States Can Use Federal Funds for Medicaid Data Mining
On Friday, HHS’ Office of the Inspector General published a final rule allowing state Medicaid fraud units to use federal funding for data mining efforts to find fraudulent billing. OIG predicted that the final rule will save about $72 million from 2014 to 2023. Modern Healthcare, CQ HealthBeat.
Studies Show Immigrant Health Declining Over Time
Several studies have found that the quality of health among immigrants to the U.S. declines progressively the longer they live in the country, in large part because they tend to adopt more Western behaviors, such as smoking, drinking, high-calorie diets and sedentary lifestyles. The studies also show that U.S.-born children of immigrants have lower quality of health and shorter lifespans compared with their parents, even though they generally have higher incomes, better access to higher-quality medical care, nutritious food and opportunities to lead healthier lifestyles. New York Times.
EDs Responsible for Half of Hospital Admissions, RAND Report Finds
A RAND study finds that emergency departments drive about 50% of all U.S. hospital admissions and between 2003 and 2009 accounted for nearly all admissions growth. However, the report says EDs’ contribution to rising health care spending is unclear. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” New York Times.
Bill Would Strip Calif.’s Ability To Conceal State Health Exchange Records
Two California senators are pushing a bill that would strip state authority to conceal certain health insurance exchange records. The bill would allow a one-year delay in the release of large health plan contracts and subject other contracts to state open-record laws. AP/KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Judge OKs Strike at UC Medical Centers, Orders Some To Work
A Sacramento judge has refused to stop a strike by thousands of workers at five University of California medical centers, but he has barred 450 critical care workers from participating in the strike, citing a threat to public health or safety. Sacramento Bee et al.
CHHS Proposes Health Data Exchange Guidance Tool
The California Health and Human Services Agency has released a proposed guidance tool on requirements for obtaining patient authorization and consent for electronic health data exchange. According to CHHS, the tool could be a model for other states. Comments on the proposed tool are due June 28. Health Data Management.
State, Local Governments Altering Health Benefits
Fifty-six percent of surveyed state and local governments are making changes to workers’ health benefits in 2013, according to a report by the Center for State & Local Government Excellence. The report found that 44% of surveyed state and local governments are modifying retirement programs this year. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”