Latest California Healthline Stories
Editorial: Health Spending Doesn’t Assure Good Health
A Los Angeles Times editorial argues that a recent report that found that U.S. residents are less healthy and have shorter life spans than people in other developed nations “should lend new urgency to Americans’ slowly growing awareness that there is more to having the best health in the world than spending the most money on health care.” The editorial adds that more preventive and primary care would help lower chronic disease rates, while the Affordable Care Act “will help by ensuring health coverage for more Americans.” Los Angeles Times.
Brown’s FY 2013-2014 Budget Plan Includes Several Wild Cards
Some aspects of Gov. Brown’s proposed budget plan hinge on state operations, lawsuit outcomes and legislative actions. For example, the plan could be affected by changes to the prison health system or a court ruling on In-Home Supportive Services cuts. U-T San Diego.
Hospital Patients Rarely Told About Rx Errors, Study Finds
Hospital patients and their families rarely are informed when medication errors occur, according to a study published in the journal Critical Care Medicine. The study — based on about 840,000 voluntarily reported medication errors between 1999 and 2005 — found that just over 2% of patients or their families were informed of the errors. Reuters.
Study: CMS Star-Rating System for MA Plans Helps Boost Enrollment
A study finds that CMS’ star-rating system for Medicare Advantage plans has helped raise enrollment rates. According to the study, a one-star higher ranking correlated with a 9.5 percentage point increase in the likelihood of beneficiaries selecting the plan. Kaiser Health News‘ “Capsules.”
Editorial Calls for California To Regain Control of Prisons
A San Francisco Chronicle editorial argues that California’s prison system “has come a long way” and that the state now spends “triple the national average” on inmate health care. It concludes, “California deserves a chance to show that it can now balance the demands of cost efficiency and constitutionally required humanity in a system that consumes a significant chunk of the state budget.” San Francisco Chronicle.
Report Finds 35% of U.S. Adults Go Online for Medical Diagnoses
A report by the Pew Research Center finds that 35% of U.S. adults have turned to the Internet for medical diagnoses. Of those who have gone online to diagnose a medical condition, about 62% said they sought a clinician’s opinion afterward. New York Times‘ “Well” et al.
Consumer Watchdog Files Suit Over Anthem’s Rx Program
Consumer Watchdog has filed a lawsuit alleging that Anthem Blue Cross’ mail-order pharmacy program discriminates against patients with HIV/AIDS. Anthem says the program is non-discriminatory and has helped boost medication adherence. KQED’s “State of Health.”
Some States Lack Social Services Application Portals
Eight states and the District of Columbia do not provide online application portals for Medicaid and other social services, while 24 states — including California — offer such portals only for specific programs. Observers say that online application portals can help states increase participation rates in social services programs. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog.”
FDA Warns Heart Device Maker About Calif. Plant
FDA has sent a warning letter to medical device maker St. Jude Medical citing manufacturing and quality-control issues at a facility located in Sylmar, Calif. Under the terms of the warning letter, FDA will not approve any new heart-rhythm products manufactured at the plant until the problems are fixed. AP/New York Times et al.
Guidance Issued on Medicaid Expansion, Health Plan Exchanges
New draft regulations from HHS aim to provide states and insurers with more guidance on the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion and health insurance exchanges. The draft rules also aim to streamline certain Medicaid eligibility processes. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.