Latest California Healthline Stories
Sebelius Says ACA Funds Set Aside for Public Outreach
During a Senate subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said she is working to address Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus’ concern that the Affordable Care Act could become a “train wreck” if U.S. residents do not have enough information about the law. She said that the Obama administration has transferred $332 million out of the ACA’s Prevention and Public Health Fund to pay for a public outreach campaign. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
LAFD Chief Aims To Shift Firefighters to Ambulances
Citing limited funding and more medical emergencies than fires, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Brian Cummings intends to implement a plan that would shift dozens of city firefighters from fire engines to ambulances. Labor groups say the change could put lives at risk and have urged city officials to provide more funding to staff ambulances. Los Angeles Times.
Mortality for Certain Heart Surgeries Up Slightly in Calif.
California’s mortality rate for coronary artery bypass graft, or CABG, surgeries rose slightly from 1.9% in 2009 to 2% in 2010. However, the 2010 mortality rate is significantly lower than the 2003 rate of nearly 3%, according to data from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. OSHPD Director Robert David said health care providers should be commended for the lower rate. Payers & Providers.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of April 26, 2013
Santa Cruz County might move patients with mental illnesses out of the region if construction of a Dominican Hospital behavioral health unit is not finished by next year. UC-San Francisco Medical Center says it will purchase a minority stake in Pacific Partners Management Service.
Bill Would Strip Medical Board of Power To Investigate Physicians
A bill by state Sen. Curren Price and Assembly member Richard Gordon would shift the authority to investigate alleged misconduct by physicians from the Medical Board of California to California’s attorney general. Sacramento Business Journal, Los Angeles Times.
Survey Finds Rate of Insured Adults Has Not Improved Under ACA
A survey finds that the rate of U.S. adults with health insurance did not improve between 2010 and 2012, while the rate of uninsured young adults decreased by 7%. Experts say many adults could remain uninsured if states forgo the Medicaid expansion. Modern Healthcare et al.
FDA Plan Aims To Modernize Medical Device Surveillance
On Tuesday, FDA announced a plan to modernize its early warning system for high-risk medical devices through the use of a smartphone application and other health information technology-related initiatives. The plan also calls for the creation of an automated surveillance system that would leverage electronic health data, such as patients’ electronic health records and bills. Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times‘ “Booster Shots.”
CMS Proposes New Data Use To Prepare for Emergencies
CMS has proposed adding a new routine use of individual health information to eight federal databases to make it easier to identify medically vulnerable residents during an emergency, according to a Federal Register notice. CMS will accept public comments on the notice for 30 days after its publication on April 23. Health Data Management.
Calif. Health Exchange To Spend $290M on Public Outreach Efforts
Covered California officials plan to spend about $290 million on marketing efforts to prepare for enrollment this fall. The funding will go toward social media and in-person grassroots outreach efforts, among other initiatives. American Public Media’s “Marketplace Health Care.”
Calif. Health Exchange Delays Action on Model Health Plan Contract
The Covered California board says it will delay until next month action on a proposed model health plan contract. The board heard testimony from insurers on issues such as consumer data collection and automatic physician assignments. Sacramento Business Journal.