Latest California Healthline Stories
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of April 5, 2013
California Pacific Medical Center and the California Nurses Association have announced a tentative contract agreement for 800 registered nurses. Corcoran District Hospital last month stopped admitting patients and closed its emergency department to reduce costs.
First 5 L.A. Awards $11M Grant to UCLA To Boost L.A. County Dental Care
First 5 L.A. has awarded the UCLA School of Dentistry $11 million to create a program that will provide dental care for children and pregnant women in Los Angeles County. Some of the funding will be used to expand community outreach efforts. KPCC’s “KPCC News,” UCLA release.
Realignment Puts Pressure on S.J. County, Report Says
San Joaquin County is facing higher-than-expected costs to care for the large number of chronically ill inmates who are being shifted to county jails under California’s prison realignment law, according to a new report. County Sherriff Steve Moore said county jails are not designed for long-term use. Stockton Record.
Program Aims To Help Foreign-Born Doctors Obtain U.S. License
A UCLA program aims to help immigrant doctors obtain their U.S. licenses in return for their pledge to practice primary care medicine in underserved areas of California. The program offers stipends, mentorships and other resources. Kaiser Health News.
Study: Mortality Rates Fall at Non-Critical Access Hospitals
Mortality rates among patients during the month after they received treatment for pneumonia, heart attacks and heart failure at non-critical access hospitals declined by nearly 2% over the past decade, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. However, mortality rates at critical access hospitals increased by an average of 0.1% per year. Researchers credited advances in technology and treatment for the drop in mortality at non-CAHs. Reuters et al.
Senator Questions CMS Following Leak About MA Plan Payments
Sen. Chuck Grassley is asking CMS to explain how a Wall Street analyst learned that CMS would forgo payment cuts to Medicare Advantage plans before the agency announced its decision. Grassley said the leak caused a spike in health insurers’ stocks. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Survey Finds Effects of ACA Are Top Concern for Small Businesses
A U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey finds that the Affordable Care Act’s effect on employee coverage costs and hiring trends has overtaken general uncertainty about the U.S. economy as small businesses’ top concern. The Hill‘s “On the Money,” Washington Times‘ “Inside Politics.”
CalPERS Audits Health Plans To Find Ineligible Dependents
CalPERS is auditing health plans to ensure that the 733,000 dependents receiving coverage through CalPERS are eligible for such benefits. CalPERS research found that 4% to 8% of dependents on employer-sponsored health plans in others states were ineligible. CalPERS could save more than $1,300 for removing each ineligible dependent from the health plan. Capitol Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Editorial Commends Federal Effort To Boost Brain Research
A Ventura County Star editorial states that if a brain-mapping research initiative announced by President Obama this week “even partially attains its lofty aims, the scientists and other researchers behind it will have earned the gratitude of generations.” According to the editorial, the project could lead to treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, but “the initial funding request is modest.” Ventura County Star.
Doctors Recommending Apps To Manage Chronic Conditions
To help patients with chronic conditions, physicians increasingly are recommending mobile applications that offer basic reminders or link with medical devices to transmit vital information. Some insurers are covering the cost of such apps as a way to reduce overall health care costs. Columbus Dispatch.