Latest California Healthline Stories
CalPERS OKs Plan To Improve Health Benefit Sustainability
CalPERS has approved a new five-year strategy to improve the sustainability of long-term pension and health benefits. The strategy also includes efforts to expand access to health care cost and quality information and boost beneficiaries’ wellness. Sacramento Business Journal.
Calif. Argues Against Court Order on Inmate Release Plan
On Friday, California officials filed a legal brief arguing against a court order that called for the state to provide an inmate-release timetable as part of its plan to ease overcrowding and improve prison health care standards. Officials said the state does not expect to meet a June 2013 deadline to lower the prison population to 137.5% of capacity, noting that it could reach a 145% capacity level. Los Angeles Times et al.
Romney Explains Plan for Medicare, Seeks To Distinguish from Ryan’s
Presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney explained his Medicare plan at a recent campaign stop. He sought to differentiate his proposals from that of his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan, and attack Medicare provisions included in the federal health reform law. Politico et al.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of August 17, 2012
Santa Clara County’s Local Agency Formation Commission has voted to approve recommendations to help El Camino Hospital’s taxpayer district clarify its finances. Nurses at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center say pension cuts could negatively affect patient care.
Lawmakers Ask FDA To Alter Device Safety Databases
On Wednesday, Rep. Edward Markey and Sen. Jeff Merkley sent a letter asking FDA to overhaul two databases that provide public information about medical device safety. The letter primarily focused on FDA’s 510(k) Premarket Notification database but also mentioned the agency’s recalls database. Among several queries, the letter asked FDA about its willingness to update the 510(k) database to clearly indicate which devices had been recalled for flaws that could affect their safety or effectiveness. Health Data Management.
HHS Awarding $48.8M To Help Health Agencies Fight Infectious Diseases
Yesterday, HHS announced $48.8 million in grants to help address the spread of infectious diseases. The grants will be used to help health departments hire and train new staff, purchase new equipment and upgrade their information technology systems. Modern Healthcare et al.
Health Officials Worried by Increase of STIs in Calif.
Public health officials said they are concerned about increases in cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis in California. According to the data from the Department of Public Health, syphilis cases in the state increased by 18% from 2010 to 2011, while chlamydia cases increased by 5% and gonorrhea cases increased by 1.5% during that time. Heidi Bauer — chief of the Sexually Transmitted Disease Control Branch for the department — said that the increase in sexually transmitted infections might be the result of residents engaging in more risky sexual behaviors and becoming more complacent about practicing safe sex. Los Angeles Times.
Assembly To Take Action on Pension Reform, Pérez Says
On Wednesday, Assembly Speaker John Pérez said the Assembly this month would prioritize efforts to overhaul public pensions. Pérez said the Assembly would build on Gov. Brown’s 12-point pension reform plan. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”
Lawmakers Want Tax Hike Plan Campaigns To Stop Attacks
Federal and state lawmakers say that campaigns for Gov. Brown’s compromise tax hike plan and attorney Molly Munger’s rival tax hike plan should stop criticizing each other. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” Capitol Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Opinion: Medicaid Expansion, Innovation Can Boost Health
In a San Francisco Chronicle opinion piece, Peter Long — president and CEO of the Blue Shield of California Foundation — writes that federal incentives to help states expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act and “investments by the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation” have “the potential to improve the health of the previously uninsured.” He adds that the funds “also will greatly reduce the amount of uncompensated care provided by hospitals, physicians and community health centers.” San Francisco Chronicle.