Latest California Healthline Stories
Health Officials To Study Yosemite Workers for Insights on Hantavirus
This week, public health officials plan to conduct voluntary blood tests and administer a survey to Yosemite National Park employees to learn more about the recent hantavirus outbreak. Officials are seeking to determine why only park visitors contracted the disease. Reuters.
Stockton Hospitals Curb Unnecessary Antacid Use
Hospitals in the Stockton area are taking steps to reduce the unnecessary use of certain antacid drugs in an effort to lower patients’ risk of contracting Clostridium difficile, a serious and sometimes deadly gastrointestinal infection. Several area hospitals are issuing fewer prescriptions for the drugs, known as proton pump inhibitors, as well as some antibiotics. Stockton Record.
Column: Brown Faces Tough Choices in Tax-Hike Battle
Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Walters writes that Proposition 30 — the November ballot tax-hike measure developed by Gov. Brown and supporters of the “Millionaires Tax” — is getting “hammered” in attack ads by Charles and Molly Munger, who are promoting the rival Proposition 38 tax-hike plan. Walters asks, “Does [Brown] just plow ahead for the next three weeks and hope for the best, or does he divert millions into attacks on the Mungers?” Sacramento Bee.
CMS: More Highly Rated MA, Prescription Drug Plans Available in 2013
The number of highly rated Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans available to beneficiaries has increased significantly for 2013, CMS officials have announced. The Medicare open enrollment period for 2013 begins today. Modern Healthcare‘s “Window to Washington” et al.
GSK To Reveal More Drug Data From Clinical Trials
Last week, GlaxoSmithKline announced that it plans to make much of its drug data from clinical trials available to researchers beginning in 2013, making it the first major drugmaker to do so. Under the new policy, GSK would establish an independent panel of experts to review researchers’ information requests. Reuters, New York Times.
OIG Investigating CVS Caremark’s Rx Refill Practices, Source Says
According to an unnamed official, HHS’ Office of Inspector General is investigating complaints that CVS Caremark refilled prescriptions and submitted insurance claims without patients’ knowledge. A CVS spokesperson said that OIG has not contacted the company about such issues. Los Angeles Times, Reuters.
High Rate of Valley Fever Among Prisoners Costs State Millions Annually
California has failed to reduce the high rate of valley fever among prison inmates. The state spends about $23 million annually to send inmates with valley fever to hospitals outside the prison, to guard those patients and to cover their antifungal treatments. New America Media.
Expert Discusses Future of ACA in Calif. After Election
During an interview with KQED’s “The California Report,” Marian Mulkey — director of the Health Reform and Public Programs Initiative at the California HealthCare Foundation — said that California took early steps to create a health insurance exchange under the Affordable Care Act. Mulkey also discussed how the state might proceed with ACA implementation after the November election. KQED’s “The California Report.”
Appeals Court Overturns Raises for Corrections Dept. Medical Staff
An appeals court ruled against Service Employees International Union-Local 1000 in a dispute over pay raises for prison medical staff. The court said earlier raises were invalid because they were approved before federally ordered pay hikes. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”
State Seeking New Members for Infection Advisory Panel
Last month, the California Department of Public Health’s Healthcare Associated Infection Advisory Committee disbanded. CDPH Director Ron Chapman has issued an invitation for applications to serve on a new, revamped committee. Applications are due Oct. 19. California HealthCare Foundation Center for Health Reporting.