Latest California Healthline Stories
Officials Say They Lack Resources To Fully Use Prescription Database
California’s prescription tracking database could be used to identify physicians who overprescribe painkillers or other commonly misused drugs. However, state officials say they lack resources for using the database for such purposes. AP/U-T San Diego, Los Angeles Times.
Opinion: Shooting Should Prompt Mental Health Talk
Sources say that Adam Lanza — the alleged gunman in a school shooting in Newton, Conn. — had “some sort of mental disability or personality disorder,” Sacramento Bee columnist Bruce Maiman writes. He adds, “Would it disturb anyone to know that last year … [Connecticut] Gov. Dan Malloy proposed drastic cuts to mental health and addiction services?” Maiman concludes, “[A]n honest debate about mental illness is one we’ve long neglected. At our peril.” Sacramento Bee.
Computer Error Leads to State Medi-Cal Card Mix-Up
Last month, the California Department of Health Care Services said that a computer programming error led it to inadvertently send more than 2,600 Medi-Cal benefit cards to the wrong recipients. The cards were meant for children in the Healthy Families program who were scheduled to transition to Medi-Cal on Jan. 1. Officials noted that although the cards include personal data, there “is a low likelihood” that the incident would result in identity theft or fraud. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now,” Sacramento Business Journal.
Lawsuit Filed Against DHCS Over Medi-Cal Managed Care Shift
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles has filed a lawsuit alleging that the Department of Health Care Services violated the rights of certain Medi-Cal beneficiaries by shifting them into managed care. DHCS says it cannot yet comment on the lawsuit. Los Angeles Times et al.
Calif. Could Be Model for Federal Mental Health Efforts, Steinberg Says
Last month, Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg sent a letter to Vice President Biden urging the federal government to consider California’s Mental Health Services Act as a template for national mental health initiatives. AP/U-T San Diego, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Department of Public Health Fines Hospitals for Patient Safety Issues
The state Department of Public Health has fined several California hospitals a total of $785,000 for errors that resulted in patient harm. The 12 safety violations include leaving surgical objects inside of patients after operations and incorrectly administering drugs. AP/U-T San Diego et al.
New California Collaborative Aims To Boost Primary Care
The California Advanced Primary Care Institute — a collaborative group that will launch in January — will seek to curb a shortage of primary care physicians and improve primary care performance in the state. CAPCI will work to increase the appeal of primary care by endorsing new payment models, improving training, encouraging the redesign of primary care practices and advocating for certain public policies. Modern Healthcare.
Oversight Problems Hinder Calif.’s HITECH Efforts, Report Finds
A report finds that California faces fundamental problems in implementing aspects of the HITECH Act. The report recommends unifying the state’s current HITECH implementation efforts and recruiting strong leaders for such efforts. FierceEMR, California HealthCare Foundation report.
RNs Picket Kaiser Hospitals Over Inadequate Staffing
On Dec. 19, 2012, members and supporters of California Nurses Association/National Nurses United took part in informational picketing outside of 21 Kaiser Permanente hospitals. The nurses said they were protesting inadequate staffing at the hospitals, as well as delays in patient care. Gay Westfall — senior vice president of Kaiser Permanente — said, “Kaiser Permanent was an early advocate for nurse-staffing ratios, and we staff to meet all ratios.” Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal.
Report Finds MA Plan Might Have Received $424M in Overpayments
A report by HHS’ Office of Inspector General finds that a Medicare Advantage plan run by PacifiCare of California might have received nearly $424 million in overpayments as a result of improper diagnosis codes. The study looked at a selection of 100 patient charts. California Watch.