Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Hospitals Make Progress in Safety, Quality, CHA Says
In a recent issue brief, the California Hospital Association said several surgical preparation and patient safety initiatives have helped to significantly reduce the rates of pre-term births, medication errors and hospital-acquired infections, as well prevent retained surgical instruments. Payers & Providers.
Poll: Slightly More Than Half of Likely Voters Support Prop. 30
A new poll finds that 52% of likely voters say they support Proposition 30, a compromise tax hike initiative by Gov. Brown, while 45% say they support Proposition 38, a rival tax hike plan by attorney Molly Munger. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal” et al.
Brown Signs Workers’ Compensation System Reform Bill Into Law
Gov. Brown has signed into law a bill that overhauls the state’s workers’ compensation system. Supporters say the law will save businesses money, while opponents say it will reduce benefits for individuals who cannot return to work. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
Murrieta Extends Ban on Medical Pot Dispensaries
On Tuesday, the Murrieta City Council voted unanimously to approve a one-year extension on a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries, which has been in effect since 2005. The California Supreme Court is expected to review such bans sometime in 2013. Riverside Press-Enterprise.
Report Calls Military Misuse of Alcohol, Drugs a ‘Crisis’
Alcohol and substance misuse among U.S. military personnel is now a “public health crisis” that officials must address, according to a new Institute of Medicine report. The report — requested by the Department of Defense — also found that existing strategies to identify, treat and prevent substance use disorders are outdated and ineffective. AP/Sacramento Bee et al.
Contra Costa Doctors Raise Concerns About EHR System
At a Contra Costa Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, three dozen physicians discussed the challenges they have faced as the county transitions to a new $45 million EPIC electronic health record system. Although the physicians said that creating an integrated EHR system is important, they said that the system is clunky and time consuming and has led to longer waits for patients. Contra Costa Times.
Hospital Pays $975K To Settle Language Discrimination Suit
The Delano Regional Medical Center has agreed to pay $975,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a group of Filipino nurses who claimed they were mocked for their accents and forced to speak “English only.” Hospital officials denied any wrongdoing and said they settled the lawsuit because it made financial sense. The settlement is believed to be the largest language discrimination settlement in the U.S. health care industry. Los Angeles Times.
Exchange Might Allow Sale of Stand-Alone Eye Care Plans to Individuals
The California Health Benefit Exchange board has said that it plans to reconsider blocking the sale of stand-alone vision plans to individual customers. Vision Service Plan has said that it might relocate if it cannot sell such plans to individual exchange customers. Sacramento Bee.
Workers’ Poor Health Costs $344B Annually, Report Finds
Employees who are absent from work or less productive at work because of health issues cost employers as much as $344 billion annually, according to a report from the Integrated Benefits Institutes. Thomas Parry of IBI said that the costs exceed the roughly $232 billion that employers spend to provide medical coverage to their workers annually. Kaiser Health News, “Capsules.”
California Obesity Rate To Double by 2030, New Report Projects
A new report projects that California’s obesity rate will increase from 23.8% last year to 46.6% in 2030 if current trends continue. According to the report, California currently has the 46th highest obesity rate in the U.S. Los Angeles Times et al.