Latest California Healthline Stories
Hearing Examines Unequal State Spending on Autism Services
State officials and children’s health care advocates are criticizing the Department of Developmental Services for unequal spending on autism services across ethnic and racial groups. Lawmakers are seeking legislation to strengthen accountability. Los Angeles Times.
Mass. Lawmakers Poised To Launch Health Care Payment Reform Efforts
Massachusetts lawmakers soon are expected to consider legislation that would overhaul the way health care providers are paid. For example, a legislative committee is advancing a bill that would move all state health care providers to a value-based payment model. Washington Post.
Report: California Cities Top List of Most-Polluted Regions in U.S.
Despite recent progress in improving air quality, a new American Lung Association report finds that most of the U.S. cities with the highest air pollution rates are located in California. San Francisco Chronicle, ALA release.
Editorial: Tobacco Companies Distorting Facts on Prop. 29
A Sacramento Bee editorial states that the tobacco industry is waging a “misinformation campaign” by attempting “to convince [voters] that doctors actually oppose Proposition 29,” a June ballot initiative that would increase California’s tax on cigarettes by $1 per pack to raise funds for cancer research. The editorial adds that voters “should do their research and make up their own minds” because the industry “will use every distortion to keep selling their deadly products.” Sacramento Bee.
California Community Clinics Integrate Mental Health, Clinical Care
Many California community clinics are using federal health reform law funding to transition to the medical home model of care. However, efforts to expand access to comprehensive care largely depend on the Supreme Court’s decision on the constitutionality of the overhaul. HealthyCal.
Experts Link Recession, Changing Views to Drop in Health Care Spending
Economists say the recent sharp decline in health care spending could be related to the recession, but other factors might be at play. They note that the decline also could stem from clinicians’ and patients’ changing views about health care spending. New York Times, Reuters.
GAO: Millions of U.S. Adults Have Pre-Existing Conditions
An estimated 36 million to 112 million U.S. adults have pre-existing conditions — such as diabetes, hypertension and mental health disorders — that could lead health insurers to deny coverage, according to a recent Government Accountability Office report. America’s Health Insurance Plans downplayed the report, saying that the number of individuals with pre-existing conditions who are uninsured is low. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Modern Healthcare.
House OKs Student Loan Bill That Would Cut Preventive Health Funds
Last week, the House approved a student loan bill that would cut funding from the health reform law’s Prevention and Public Health Fund. The measure is expected to be defeated in the Senate, and White House officials said President Obama would veto the bill. Reuters et al.
S.F. Spinal Implant Billing Firm Faces Fraud Charges
On Wednesday, Santa Clara County prosecutors filed nine felony fraud charges against two officials at Implantium — a San Francisco-based firm — for allegedly overbilling for spinal implants for government employees. Prosecutors said the invoices had been marked up by tens of thousands of dollars. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury News.
UCSF Study Says Unmet Basic Needs Weaken HIV Progress
Despite progress in the treatment and prevention of HIV, a UC-San Francisco study involving 288 homeless men with HIV finds that unmet basic needs — such as shelter, regular meals and good hygiene — had the largest effect on the physical and mental health of patients. A 2011 study involving homeless women had similar findings. San Francisco Chronicle.