Latest California Healthline Stories
Study: U.S. Lags Behind European Nations for Preventable Fatalities
A Commonwealth Fund study finds that the U.S. lags behind France, Germany and the United Kingdom in its rate of fatalities that could have been prevented by effective health care. The disparity was most pronounced among residents under age 65. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Medical Pot Advocates Aim To Overturn L.A. Dispensary Ban
On Thursday, Los Angeles area medical marijuana advocates are expected to submit 50,000 voter signatures in support of a proposed March 2013 city ballot measure that would overturn the recent L.A. City Council-approved ban on dispensaries. If enough signatures are validated, the ban — set to take effect on Sept. 6 — will be temporarily suspended until the March vote. Los Angeles Times, KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Location Affects Decision Time for Vets’ Disability Claims
Military veterans in metropolitan areas can wait twice as long as those living in sparsely populated states for a decision on a disability claim, according to an analysis by The Bay Citizen and the Center for Investigative Reporting. The analysis found that veterans in California who filed claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs’ three regional offices in Los Angeles, Oakland and San Diego on average wait more than nine months. California Watch.
Lawmakers Pass Bill To Use ‘Intellectual Disability’ Term
Last week, the California Legislature approved a bill, by Sen. Fran Pavley, that would replace the terms “mental retardation” and “mentally retarded” in state regulations and policy publications with “intellectual disability” and “person with an intellectual disability.” The original terms — which the bill’s supporters argue are outdated and offensive — would be replaced during routine revisions of the regulations and publications, according to the legislation. California Watch.
Assembly OKs Legislation To Ban ‘Conversion’ Therapy
On Tuesday, the Assembly approved a bill, by Sen. Ted Lieu, that would ban sexual orientation “conversion” treatment for teens. Supporters of the measure say the therapy has no medical benefits and can lead to depression and suicide, while opponents of the bill say it infringes upon parents’ rights to provide psychological care for their children. The bill, the first of its kind in the U.S., returns to the Senate for a final vote. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, Reuters.
Bill Passed To Protect Drug Users Seeking Medical Help
On Monday, state lawmakers approved a bill that would exempt drug users from prosecution if they seek medical assistance. Lawmakers said the measure is necessary to reduce drug overdose deaths in California. They said that drug users often do not seek medical help because they fear prosecution. The bill now goes to Gov. Brown for consideration. Los Angeles Times.
Labor Unions, Employers at Odds With Lawyers Over Workers’ Comp Bill
Labor unions and employers are supporting a new workers’ compensation reform bill, while attorneys representing injured workers are criticizing it. The legislation would change the formula used to calculate benefits for injured workers and cut benefits for certain conditions. Sacramento Bee.
Most U.S. Employers To Keep Offering Coverage in 2014, Survey Finds
Of the 512 employers that responded to a Towers Watson survey, none said that they are “very likely” to drop health coverage for employees in 2014. Three percent of respondents said they are “somewhat likely” to drop health coverage. Washington Post‘s “Wonkblog” et al.
Opinion: Medicare, Economy Leveraged in Campaigns
In a Los Angeles Times opinion piece, columnist Doyle McManus writes that “Democrats know they can’t run on the economy” in the November election, so they have criticized GOP efforts to reshape Medicare. He writes, “Republican strategists say they don’t need to win the argument on Medicare; they just need to ‘neutralize’ the Democrats’ historical advantage on the issue — so they can get back to talking about the economy.” McManus asks, “But where does it leave the more important debate — the one over how to fix our ballooning benefits program?” Los Angeles Times.
GOP’s Official Platform Includes Changes to Medicare, Medicaid
The Republican Party’s official platform, which was released yesterday, calls for changing Medicare into a partially privatized system and converting Medicaid into a block grant program. The GOP platform also calls for repealing the Affordable Care Act. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.