Latest California Healthline Stories
California Health Care Personnel News Update for August 2012
In October, Jonathan Freedman — chief deputy director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health — will become chief of strategy, regulatory and external affairs for L.A. Health Care Plan. The West Health Institute has hired Nicholas Valeriani as its new CEO.
Legislature Passes Bill Setting Up State-Run Retirement Program
State lawmakers have approved a bill that would require businesses that have more than five employees and do not offer pension plans to enroll workers in a state-run retirement program. A seven-person panel would administer the retirement trust. U-T San Diego.
IOM: Science, Technology Key To Fixing U.S. Health Care System
A new Institute of Medicine report finds that science and technology could help address the inefficiencies and rising costs in the health care system. The report warns that if shortfalls are not addressed, cost and quality could worsen. Modern Healthcare et al.
NFL Donating $30M to NIH To Boost Brain Injury Research
On Wednesday, the National Football League announced that it will donate $30 million to NIH to fund research on brain injuries and other sports-related health conditions. NIH likely will not focus research efforts on football, but on how certain injuries can cause problems later in life. Wall Street Journal et al.
Obama, Biden Accept Nominations, Defend Health Reform Law
Yesterday, President Obama and Vice President Biden accepted the Democratic nominations for president and vice president, respectively. In a speech, Obama criticized Republican proposals to repeal the health reform law and transform Medicare. Modern Healthcare et al.
Legislature Passes Bill To Boost Funding To Fight Health Insurance Fraud
California lawmakers have passed a bill that is expected to raise an additional $4 million to help fight health and disability insurance fraud. Funds raised by the bill would go to local district attorneys and the state Department of Insurance. Payers & Providers, DOI release.
Researchers Look Into Reasons for Rise in Type 1 Diabetes
The prevalence of type 1 diabetes has increased by 3% annually for the last eight years, according to researchers. Researchers have enlisted seven hospitals — including Kaiser Permanente Southern California — to help gather data to evaluate the possible causes of the increase in type 1 diabetes cases. HealthyCal.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of September 7, 2012
A Fresno County Superior Court jury has found Kaiser Permanente Medical Center partially responsible for a patient being unaware that he had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. UC-Davis Medical Center has opened a new clinic to help boost primary care services.
L.A. Medical Pot Dispensary Ban Blocked by Advocates
On Thursday, a ban on Los Angeles medical marijuana dispensaries was not implemented as scheduled because medical marijuana advocates last week submitted about 50,000 signatures to overturn the ordinance, nearly twice the number required. If the Los Angeles City Clerk’s office verifies enough signatures opposing the ban, the Los Angeles City Council will have to decide whether to repeal it or place the issue on the ballot next year. Wall Street Journal, NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
CIRM Awards $63M in Funds for Stem Cell Research
On Wednesday, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine — the state’s stem cell research funding agency — awarded a total of $63 million in funding to researchers working to use stem cells to treat heart disease, muscular dystrophy, Alzheimer’s disease and blindness. San Francisco Business Times, Orange County Register.