Latest California Healthline Stories
S.F. Seeks Documents on ‘Patient Dumping’ From Nevada Officials
The San Francisco city attorney is seeking documentation from Nevada health officials on the alleged practice of sending patients with mental illnesses via buses to cities in California and other states. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now,” Sacramento Bee.
Calif. Struggles To Draw Young Primary Care Doctors to Rural Areas
Rural communities in the state are struggling to attract young primary care physicians to replace retiring doctors in California, an expert says. Some observers say the Affordable Care Act could exacerbate the primary care physician shortage, while others say it could help attract doctors to such areas. HealthyCal.
SF-Based Dignity Health Sells Lab Unit to Quest Diagnostics
San Francisco-based hospital operator Dignity Health has agreed to sell its laboratory outreach business to Quest Diagnostics. Dignity’s laboratory volumes and the terms of the transaction were not immediately available. Payers & Providers.
ACA Could Exacerbate Low Use of Health Care Services
The use of non-emergency medical services has been low for several years, but the trend might be exacerbated in the months leading up to full implementation of the Affordable Care Act, according to some health care analysts. The experts say employers are attempting to offset the anticipated costs of providing additional health benefits under the ACA by requiring workers to pay more up front through high-deductible plans, resulting in less use of medical services. Reuters.
Senate Passes Bill That Aims To Help Disarm Mentally Ill Individuals
The California Senate has given final approval to a bill that would allocate $24 million to help disarm individuals who are prohibited from possessing guns because of mental illnesses or other factors. The bill now goes to Gov. Brown for consideration. NBC 7 San Diego, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Officials Say L.A. Meningitis Case Not Tied to Other Cases
In a new report, Los Angeles County health officials said the bacterial meningitis that killed a West Hollywood man this month is not linked to any other meningitis cases across the country. Officials hope the new report will alleviate concerns of an outbreak in the area. Los Angeles Times, AP/UT-San Diego.
Editorial: Scope-of-Practice Bills Require More Debate
A Sacramento Bee editorial argues that bills that would expand the scope of practice of non-physicians in California “have merits and lapses,” adding that “[m]ore dialogue is needed to identify both the former and latter.” According to the editorial, state lawmakers “should not rush to pass” the bills until “[l]egitimate concerns” about the measures have been “considered in some depth.” Sacramento Bee.
Diagnostic Mistakes Are Top Cause of Malpractice Awards, Study Finds
A new study finds that missed, wrong and delayed diagnoses are the leading cause of successful malpractice claims and that little is being done to identify and address such errors. Hospitals generally are not required to measure or report on diagnostic errors. Washington Post et al.
Study Links Slowdown in Health Care Spending to Weaker U.S. Economy
According to a study from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Altarum Institute, the recession and the economy’s subsequent slow recovery played a larger role in the recent slowdown in health care spending than changes to the country’s health care system. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
EPA Notice Says Calif. Has Violated the Safe Drinking Water Act
EPA has issued a notice saying that California has violated the Safe Drinking Water Act by not spending $455 million in federal funding allocated for improving drinking water systems. The state says it will take all necessary steps to address the problem. Sacramento Bee et al.