Latest California Healthline Stories
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Federal Health Reform Law
Today, the Supreme Court in a 5-4 opinion upheld the health reform law, including its individual mandate, but said the federal government cannot take away funding from states that reject the law’s Medicaid expansion. Washington Post et al.
Brown Signs State Budget Plan Relying on Health Care Cuts, Tax Hike
Gov. Brown has signed a fiscal year 2012-2013 budget plan based on an agreement made with Democrats. The plan makes cuts to health and human services programs and relies on voters approving a compromise tax hike initiative. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert” et al.
Romney Offers Preview of Responses to Ruling on Health Reform Law
Yesterday, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney said that if the Supreme Court strikes down the health reform law, President Obama’s first term “will have been wasted.” If the court upholds the law, Romney said he would try to dismantle it. New York Times‘ “The Caucus” et al.
Amendment To Change State Budget Process Qualifies for Nov. Ballot
A constitutional amendment that would change California’s budget process has qualified for the November ballot. It would enact a two-year, performance-based budgeting process and give the governor authority to make cuts at certain times. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Fresno County’s Amputation Rate Among Highest in Calif.
In 2010, the lower-limb amputation rate in Fresno County was nearly 50% higher than the statewide rate and the fourth-highest among all California counties, according to new data from the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. Some physicians say they cannot fully explain the county’s high amputation rate because neighboring counties with similar socioeconomic demographics and numbers of residents with diabetes — which can lead to circulation and nerve problems and necessitate amputation — have lower amputation rates. Fresno Bee.
Lawmakers Set To Move Dozens of Budget Bills Ahead of Deadline
Today, lawmakers seek to vote on more than 20 budget bills as the midnight deadline for Gov. Brown to approve a spending plan approaches. Democrats reached a budget agreement with Brown last week. AP/Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Bee.
Report: Technology Could Curb Mental Health Barriers
Computer-based tools and other technology — such as online social networks and mobile health applications — could help patients with mental health disorders overcome barriers to seeking treatment, according to a recent report by the California HealthCare Foundation. InformationWeek.
Kaiser, SSA Aim To Expedite Disability Claims Processing
On Monday, Kaiser Permanente and the Social Security Administration announced a pilot program aimed at expediting the processing of disability claims through the exchange of electronic health data. The organizations plan to exchange data using the file-sharing protocols of the Nationwide Health Information Network. Healthcare IT News et al.
Study Links Ozone Exposure to Higher Heart Issue Risk
Exposure to ozone, a key component of smog, causes physiological changes that could be linked to heart ailments in elderly individuals with cardiovascular disease and other vulnerable populations, according to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency study published in the journal Circulation. Nine of the 10 U.S. regions with the most ozone pollution are in California, according to the American Lung Association. California Watch.
Families Blame DOD, VA for High Military Suicide Rate
At a military suicide prevention conference hosted by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs last week, family members of soldiers who committed suicide said the two departments failed to provide adequate treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health problems. Earlier this month, the U.S. military said that there have been 154 suicides among active-duty soldiers this year, surpassing the total number of troops who have died in combat this year. Washington Post.