Latest California Healthline Stories
More Doctors Experience ‘Burnout’ Than People in Other Professions
A study finds that more doctors experience “burnout” than individuals in other jobs. According to the study, 45.8% of doctors feel emotionally exhausted, experience depersonalization or feel a low sense of accomplishment. Reuters, USA Today.
New Law Requires Coaches To Receive Concussion Training
On Friday, Gov. Brown signed a bill, by Assembly member Mary Hayashi, that would require high school coaches to receive biennial training on how to identify and respond to concussions. The new law takes effect on Jan. 1, 2013. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Field Poll: Voter Support for Health Reform Law Increases in California
A new Field Poll finds that 54% of voters support the federal health reform law, compared with 52% in 2011. The poll also finds that 46% of respondents said that they do not think they or their families will be significantly affected by the reform law. Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle.
Visits to Retail Health Clinics Up by 403%, Study Finds
Visits to retail health clinics increased by 403% between 2007 and 2009, from 1.48 million visits to 5.97 million visits, according to a study published in Health Affairs. The study — which is based on data from CVS Caremark’s MinuteClinic, Walgreens’ Take Care Health Systems and Kroger’s Little Clinic — found about 44% of clinic visits occurred during hours when physician offices often are closed. In addition, the study found that the number of retail clinics increased from about 300 at the start of 2007 to almost 1,200 by the end of 2010. Modern Healthcare.
Herbal Supplement Ads Targeting Immigrants Worry Health Experts
Health experts in California are worried about advertisements that promote unregulated herbal supplements to immigrant communities. Federal Trade Commission officials say that they cannot catch every misleading ad and must rely on consumers to report them. Los Angeles Times.
Medicare Becoming the Primary Focus of 2012 Presidential Campaigns
President Obama and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney both are focusing on Medicare in their campaigns. While Obama aims to link Romney with his running mate Rep. Paul Ryan’s Medicare proposals, Romney is criticizing the health reform law’s Medicare cuts. AP/Boston Globe et al.
Editorial: Calif. Lawmakers Should Raise Tobacco Tax
According to a Sacramento Bee editorial, state voters’ rejection of Proposition 29, a tobacco tax hike ballot initiative, “doesn’t mean Californians oppose new cigarette taxes.” The editorial states that California lawmakers — who have become “beholden to the tobacco industry” — should raise the tobacco tax to reduce smoking rates, “saving tens of thousands of lives and untold millions of dollars in health care costs.” It adds that the “revenue from a $1 per pack increase could put a dent in the state deficit and boost anti-smoking efforts.” Sacramento Bee.
Steinberg’s Medi-Cal Bill Is ‘Flawed,’ Editorial Argues
A Los Angeles Times editorial criticizes a bill being developed by Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg to allow some injured Medi-Cal beneficiaries “to seek recovery for medical bills that are larger than what their doctors and hospitals actually collected.” The editorial states that the bill is “built on an irreparably flawed foundation: It would encourage plaintiffs … to seek compensation for losses they did not experience, in order to reimburse health care providers for expenses beyond what they agreed to charge Medi-Cal.” Los Angeles Times.
Aetna To Buy Coventry for $5.7B, Expand Work in Medicare, Medicaid
Today, Aetna announced that it will buy Coventry Health Care for $5.7 billion in cash and stock. Aetna said the purchase will help expand its business with government-financed programs like Medicare and Medicaid. The deal is subject to regulatory review but is expected to close in mid-2013. Reuters et al.
Gov. Brown Calls for Special Session on Federal Health Law
State leaders are planning a special legislative session on enacting health reform law provisions. Gov. Brown said the state is waiting for guidance from the federal government before implementing certain reforms. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”