Latest California Healthline Stories
Editorial: Time for a National Dialogue on Veterans’ Care
A Contra Costa Times editorial argues that “[a]gonizing rehabilitation, PTSD, depression and suicide are real and frightening issues that affect not only our returning military, but their families as well.” The editorial concludes, “It is time for a national discussion about how we can better treat our nation’s veterans.” Contra Costa Times.
GAO Report: U.S. Should Abandon Bonus Program for Medicare Advantage
A new report from the Government Accountability Office calls for canceling a demonstration program that provides quality bonus payments to Medicare Advantage plans. The report contends that the program is unlikely to “produce meaningful results.” New York Times et al.
10 Calif. Hospitals Selected for Top 100 U.S. Hospital List
Ten California hospitals made Thomson Reuters’ list of the 100 Top U.S. Hospitals. Scripps Green Hospital, UC-San Diego Medical Center and Sutter Davis Hospital were among the California hospitals selected for the list. U-T San Diego et al.
UnitedHealth Group Reports Rise in Earnings, Membership in Q1 2012
Yesterday, UnitedHealth Group reported a 3.1% rise in earnings, a 7.3% rise in revenue and an increase of more than one million members for the first quarter of 2012. The health insurer noted that medical costs are its biggest expense. Wall Street Journal, AP/New York Times.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of April 20, 2012
Service Employees International Union Local 121RN and SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West are planning to picket two Dignity Health hospitals next week. The state Supreme Court will not review an appeals court decision allowing Sutter Health to purchase San Leandro Hospital.
Report: State Prison Health Care Needs Independent Oversight
A state report recommends that California allow independent monitoring of prison health care when a federal receivership ends, noting that improvements could be lost without continued oversight. AP/San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
Sutter Launches Worker Program for Finalizing End-of-Life Care Wishes
Sutter Health hospitals in the Sacramento region are conducting a campaign to encourage employees and medical professionals to finalize their plans for end-of-life care. Officials say the program will help provide workers with insight into the types of decisions patients must make. Sacramento Bee.
Number of ‘Unhealthy’ Air Days Down 74% in California
In 2011, California had about 74% fewer days of “unhealthy” air levels than in 2000, according to a report by the California Air Pollution Control Officers’ Association. The report found that since 1980 ozone pollution has dropped statewide and that there have been smaller reductions in particulate matter emissions. California Watch.
Health Care-Associated Infection Rates Dropped in 2010, CDC Reports
A new report from CDC finds that rates of various health care-associated infections declined in 2010. Meanwhile, HHS has released a nine-point action plan aimed at further reducing health care-associated infection rates by leveraging health information technology and other strategies. Reuters et al.
Census Bureau Revises Report on California’s Tax Revenues
On Tuesday, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that it has amended a recent report on California’s tax revenues to reflect “a calculation error that cause California’s sales tax to be overstated by $6.4 billion.” The revised report states that tax revenues increased by 11.3% to $116.7 billion in fiscal year 2010-2011, the sixth highest jump among all states. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”