Latest California Healthline Stories
Oral Health Tied to Academic Success, Attendance Rates
Experts say oral health plays a role in student achievement and school attendance rates. As a result, several California school districts — such as Oakland Unified — have launched programs to provide no-cost dental care to students. EdSource Today/Contra Costa Times.
Obama Administration Delays Rollout of ACA’s Small Business Program
Federal officials are delaying by one year an Affordable Care Act provision aimed at providing multiple health plan options to small businesses. Officials say more time is needed to prepare for the Small Business Health Options Program. AP/Miami Herald, Wall Street Journal.
School-Based Clinic Network a Safety Net for S.D. Area Kids
A network of school-based health care clinics in San Diego’s City Heights neighborhood aims to serve as a safety net for the area’s children. The clinics provide primary and preventive medical care services for every child in the area, from birth through age 17. The network is part of a partnership between The California Endowment, Price Charities and local community clinics. KQED’s “State of Health.”
La Jolla Facility One of Best Places for Postdocs To Work
The La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology clinched the second spot in The Scientist‘s 2013 list of the 10 best places to work for postdocs, up from seventh place in the 2012 edition of the annual survey. Postdocs are non-tenured researchers who serve as apprentices in preparation for careers in academia, government and business. U-T San Diego.
CMS To Rescind MA Plan Payment Cut; Will Boost Payments Instead
The Obama administration says that it is rescinding a proposed 2.2% Medicare Advantage plan payment cut and instead will increase payments by 3.3%, after factoring in the assumption that Congress will prevent a 25% Medicare physician reimbursement cut in 2014. Washington Post et al.
Nine California Hospitals Named Among the 100 Best in the U.S.
Nine California hospitals are included in Becker’s Hospital Review‘s list of the 100 best U.S. hospitals. Becker’s examined hospital ranking data from Healthgrades, U.S. News & World Report and other sources. U-T San Diego, Becker’s Hospital Review release.
California’s Net Worth at Negative $127.2B, Audit Says
A new Bureau of State Audits report found that California’s general fund spent $1.7 billion more than it received in revenues in fiscal year 2012, resulting in an accumulated deficit of about $23 billion and a negative state net worth of $127.2 billion. The report listed the state’s long-term obligations at $167.9 billion, which did not include the more than $60 billion in unfunded liabilities for retiree health care. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Monterey County’s Medi-Cal Bridge Plan Rolls Out Slowly
Monterey County officials recently reported that 154 low-income residents have enrolled in ViaCare, the county’s bridge insurance program that was established ahead of the 2014 Medi-Cal expansion under the Affordable Care Act. The county cut back the target number of ViaCare enrollees from 1,500 to 300 to limit its liability and the cost of the program. HealthyCal.
Assembly Bill Would Change Gov. Brown’s Prison Realignment Plan
Assembly member Ken Cooley has introduced legislation that would alter part of the state’s prison realignment law. The bill would send certain drug traffickers to prison to help ease the burden of long-term incarceration on county jails. AP/Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Bee.
Doctors Sue Prime Hospital Over Profit-Driven Practices
A dozen San Bernardino County physicians have filed a lawsuit alleging that Chino Valley Medical Center — a Prime Healthcare Services hospital — is unlawfully blocking access to patient hospitalization notifications because the doctors have refused to participate in profit-driven practices established by the hospital. A Prime spokesperson in a statement dismissed the lawsuit as one with “no merit” and “a regurgitation of unproven allegations.” California Watch.