Latest California Healthline Stories
California Health Care Personnel News Update for December 2012
In December 2012, Gov. Brown appointed Mark Hartwig, Joy Stovell and Dave Teter to the California Commission on Emergency Medical Services. Clayton Chau has been named the new medical director of behavioral health services at CalOptima, Orange County’s Medi-Cal managed care plan.
Link Between Spending, Care Quality Unclear, Review Finds
The link between higher spending and better health care quality still is unclear, according to a review published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Of the 61 studies reviewed by RAND Corporation, 21 found that higher spending correlated with better outcomes, 18 showed a link between higher spending and worse outcomes and 22 indicated no difference or an unclear outcome based on spending. Reuters.
Officials Investigate Kaiser for Potential Patient Privacy Breach
Federal and state officials are investigating whether Kaiser Permanente violated patient privacy rules through its work with a small firm that stored its paper health records. Kaiser officials say the data were not disclosed or accessed inappropriately. Los Angeles Times.
U.S. Hospitals Spent $41B on Uncompensated Care in 2011, Survey Finds
A new survey finds that U.S. hospitals in 2011 spent a total of about $41 billion on uncompensated care, or 6% of their total expenses. According to the American Hospital Association survey, the rate of uncompensated care in the U.S. has remained steady for more than 20 years. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Editorial Calls for State To Boost Use of Rx Drug Database
A Los Angeles Times editorial argues that California officials and lawmakers must make “better use” of the state’s prescription drug tracking database, called the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System, or CURES. Citing a recent Times investigative report that identified flaws with the system, the editorial concludes that if the state updates and recommits to the database, “it could probably prevent a hugely disproportionate number of medical emergencies and deaths.” Los Angeles Times.
Calif.’s School Health Clinics Receive More Than $14M Under ACA
Last month, 31 school health clinics in California received more than $14 million in grants under the Affordable Care Act. The clinics offer no-cost primary care, while some also provide dental and mental health services. KQED’s “State of Health.”
Sacramento County Board Unveils Mental Health Report
On Jan. 2, the Sacramento County Mental Health Board released a report endorsing an expansion of the county’s Mental Health Court, which allows judges to require defendants with mental illnesses to receive treatment. However, the board stopped short of recommending that the county adopt Laura’s Law. Sacramento Bee.
Study: Overweight People Face Lower Mortality Risk
Overweight individuals are 6% less likely to die for any reason than their normal-weight counterparts, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In addition, the study found that individuals with a BMI of 30 to 35 — a range considered to represent the first stage of obesity — had a 5% lower all-cause mortality rate than individuals with a “normal” BMI. New York Times et al.
Four Calif. Community Clinic Networks Nab ACA Grants
The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded four California community health center networks grants totaling $1.2 million to help them prepare for an influx of newly insured residents through the Affordable Care Act in 2014. The funds will be used to hire new technology and efficiency experts to help clinics implement electronic health record systems and identify potential issues in their care delivery systems. U-T San Diego.
Health Insurers Gaining Approval for Significant Premium Increases
Health insurers are seeking and receiving approval to raise rates significantly for small businesses and individuals without job-based coverage. California is not among the 37 states in which regulators can reject excessive rate hikes. New York Times.