Latest California Healthline Stories
California’s Preparation for Treating Adults With Autism in Question
Health officials are concerned about California’s preparation for treating young adults with autism who soon will be too old to qualify for special education services through public schools. Regional treatment centers have sustained nearly $1 billion in budget cuts. Ventura County Star.
Prison Realignment Alters Care of Inmates With Mental Illnesses
The state prison realignment plan has shifted oversight of low-level felons to counties, which has changed how inmates with mental illnesses receive care during incarceration and after release. Ex-inmates now can receive care through county-run programs. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Nurses Group Criticizes New Physicians Group Report
On Wednesday, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners criticized a new report by the American Academy of Family Physicians that said allowing nurse practitioners to practice independently of doctors in team-based care models would create another class of care under “less-qualified” health care providers. In a release, AANP President Angela Golden called AAFP “misdirected and out of step,” adding, “Making full use of the [nurse practitioner] workforce is a critical piece of a multi-pronged solution to address the urgent need for health care access in our nation.” Modern Healthcare.
Racial Differences Found in How Doctors Use Health IT
White physicians in the U.S. are more likely than minority physicians to communicate with patients electronically, but minority doctors are more likely to use information technology for preventive care reminders, according to a recent study published in the journal Perspectives in Health Information Management. The study also found that minority physicians are more likely than white physicians to use health IT to look for information about drug formularies. FierceHealthIT.
Anthem To Drop Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Doctors From L.A. Plan
This week, about 2,200 Los Angeles city employees began receiving letters informing them that Anthem Blue Cross Select health plan on Jan. 1 will stop covering physicians affiliated with Cedars-Sinai and UCLA hospitals. Anthem said it was dropping the hospitals’ physicians as part of a cost-cutting measure, which is projected to save the city $7.6 million in annual premiums next year. Los Angeles Times.
Analysis Finds Prop. 30 Support Higher Among Wealthier People
An analysis of a new poll finds that individuals with annual household incomes exceeding $100,000 are more supportive of a compromise tax hike plan. The poll director says the finding is more indicative of education levels than of income. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Premiums for Most FEHBP Federal Workers To Rise by 3.4% in 2013
New data on Federal Employees Health Benefits Program premium rates show that premiums for non-U.S. Postal Service federal workers enrolled in FEHBP will increase by an average of 3.4% in 2013. OPM will not make any major changes to workers’ benefits. Government Executive et al.
Task Force Finds Calif.’s ‘Debt Wall’ To Be as Much as $335B
A new report by the State Budget Crisis Task Force finds that California’s “debt wall” is at least $167 billion and as much as $335 billion, in part because of health care and pension benefits for retired public workers. New York Times, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
SEIU Local 721 Threatens To Sue L.A. Over Pension Reform
Service Employees International Union Local 721 President Bob Schoonover recently suggested that the union is willing to sue the city of Los Angeles if it adopts a proposal to reduce retirement benefits for new city workers. The pension plan being considered would eliminate health care benefits for workers’ dependents and increase the retirement age from 55 to 65, among other things. Schoonover said the plan is “unsound and unlawful.” KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Brown Signs 18 Bills To Help Military Personnel, Veterans
On Thursday, Gov. Brown signed into law 18 bills aimed at improving community and social services for military personnel, veterans and their families. For example, one bill (AB 2371), by Assembly member Betsy Butler, will help veterans with service-related mental health disorders — such as post-traumatic stress disorder — who commit crimes receive treatment, instead of being sent to prison. Sacramento Bee‘s “The Swarm,” U-T San Diego.