Latest California Healthline Stories
Lawmakers Release Plan To Permanently Replace Medicare Pay Formula
House GOP leaders have started circulating among health care providers a new proposal to permanently repeal and replace the sustainable growth rate formula, which sets Medicare physician reimbursement rates. Medical association officials have praised the new proposal. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Study: Number of People With Dementia, Cost of Care To Increase
A study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine finds that the number of U.S. residents with dementia is expected to more than double by 2040. According to the study, the cost of caring for U.S. residents with dementia is expected to reach as much as $511 billion by 2040. New York Times et al.
Northern Calif. Hospitals Among Recipients of UnitedHealthcare Grants
Plumas District Hospital and Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation are among the recipients of $5.2 million in grants from UnitedHealthcare. They will use the funding to boost patient outreach and improve technology. Payers & Providers, UnitedHealthcare release.
Flu Season Death Toll in S.D. County Hits 60, Officials Say
Sixty San Diego County residents have died from influenza this season, marking the highest death toll from the flu since the county began keeping records at least 15 years ago, according to a report released Wednesday by the county’s Health and Human Services Agency. All but one of the 60 people who died this flu season had an underlying health problem, the agency noted. U-T San Diego.
UC-Riverside Medical School Nabs $3M Grant From Kaiser
On Wednesday, the UC-Riverside School of Medicine announced that it received a two-year, $3 million grant from Kaiser Permanente Southern California. The grant will be used to fund outreach efforts and scholarships for eight of its 50 incoming students. UC-Riverside’s medical school is slated to open this fall. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Experts Forecast Trend of State Hospital Closures Under ACA
Experts say that although a series of hospital closures by Pacific Health Corporation are related to a fraud case, about 40 state hospitals could close over the next 10 years because of Affordable Care Act provisions. Los Angeles Times, AP/Sacramento Bee.
Dental Health Advocates Push for School Districts To Offer Treatment
In California, dental health advocates are calling on school districts to offer dental health care services for low-income children. However, many school districts say they do not have the resources or time to maintain dental health programs. KQED’s “State of Health.”
UC-Irvine Study Finds Daily Stressors Affect Mental Health
A UC-Irvine-led study found that daily stressors can have a significant effect on individuals’ long-term mental health. The study — which was published in the journal Psychological Science — found that how survey respondents handled such stress predicted whether they would experience anxiety or depression up to a decade later. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Obama Announces Brain-Mapping Research Initiative
On Tuesday, President Obama announced a new brain-mapping initiative that could help researchers discover new ways to treat Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke and other neurological conditions. In addition to advancing neuroscience research, the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies — or, BRAIN — initiative could spur the development of new IT tools. InformationWeek, New York Times.
Report Cites CMS for Poor Oversight of Health Plan Comparison Portal
A report from HHS’ Office of Inspector General finds that CMS does not adequately oversee the “Plan Finder” website that it established to help consumers find coverage prior to the launch of the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance exchanges. Modern Healthcare, CQ HealthBeat.