Latest California Healthline Stories
Brown Supporters Form Group To Oppose Munger’s Tax Plan
This week, a group supporting Gov. Brown’s November tax-hike ballot measure filed a statement of organization with the secretary of state’s office to rally opposition against a competing tax-hike ballot measure by civil rights attorney Molly Munger. The group also submitted ballot pamphlet arguments against Munger’s measure. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Health Care Districts’ Business Deals Could Violate State Law
A new investigation finds that California health care districts approved millions of dollars in business transactions that could violate the state’s conflict-of-interest laws. The findings raise questions about oversight of the districts. Bay Citizen.
Program Trains Physicians To Work in Underserved Areas
The new San Joaquin Valley Program in Medical Education — a collaboration between UC-Merced, UC-Davis’ School of Medicine and UC-San Francisco Fresno’s Medical Education Program — is the sixth and newest UC-based PRIME program, which trains physicians who want to provide care to underserved groups. Participants in SJ Valley PRIME also learn about medical issues that are unique to the Valley’s eight counties. HealthyCal.
Alameda County Aiming for Safe Disposal of Unused Drugs
On Tuesday, Alameda County officials granted preliminary approval to a proposal that would require drugmakers that sell their products in the county to submit plans on how they would collect and safely dispose of unused prescription drugs. Two biomedical industry groups oppose the proposal. Reuters.
House Approves Legislation To Repeal Health Reform Law
Yesterday, the House voted 244-185 to approve legislation that would repeal the federal health reform law, with five Democrats voting in favor of the measure. The legislation is not expected to pass in the Senate, and President Obama has said he would veto the bill. New York Times et al.
HHS OIG Warns CDC Grants May Have Funded Lobbying
Grants administered by CDC might have been illegally used for political lobbying, according to an “early alert” letter by the HHS Office of Inspector General. The investigation comes after Sen. Susan Collins in May expressed concern about the CDC grant program, which is aimed at promoting wellness and prevention. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Insurance Exchange Exec Touts Benefits of Reform Law for Calif.
At a meeting in Sacramento yesterday, Peter Lee, executive director of the California Health Benefit Exchange, discussed how the federal health reform law would benefit Californians. He also tried to dispel some common myths about the Affordable Care Act. AP/Sacramento Bee.
Study: Most Medicaid Beneficiaries Not Going to EDs for Routine Care
A study by the Center for Studying Health System Change finds that most Medicaid beneficiaries who visit hospital emergency departments do so for urgent care. Researchers say the findings dispel the idea that low-income patients seek routine care at EDs. Washington Post et al.
UCLA Researchers Eye Copper To Combat Staph Infections
Researchers at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center are studying whether copper surfaces — which are known to kill bacteria on contact — could help combat hospital-acquired staph infections. The four-year study will compare copper with other surface types based on bacteria levels and patient infection rates. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
California Hospitals, Health Systems Among ‘Most Wired’ in U.S.
Nine California health care facilities are among the “Most Wired” hospitals in the U.S., according to an annual survey by Hospitals & Health Networks. The survey recognizes hospitals for successful health information technology planning and implementation. Healthcare IT News, H&HN.