Latest California Healthline Stories
Education Officials Worry About Child Care Cuts in Brown’s Budget
Education officials say proposed cuts to child care services in Gov. Brown’s budget plan threaten a Pajaro Valley program that provides care to more than 550 children. Brown’s budget also would shift oversight of the program from the state to the county. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Federal, State Officials Investigate SCAN Health Plan for Overbilling
SCAN Health Plan is being investigated by state and federal authorities for allegedly double-billing Medi-Cal and Medicare for treating the same pool of patients and intentionally hiding its actions. SCAN recently set aside $125 million for resolving the allegations. California Watch.
Concerns Raised Over FDA, White House Clashes
Industry analysts are concerned that the Obama administration’s tendency to overrule FDA’s regulatory decisions could diminish the agency’s reputation for regulatory integrity and diligence. Daniel Carpenter, an FDA historian at Harvard University, said, “The politicization of the FDA could hurt not only consumer protection but industry profits as well.” New York Times.
Field Poll: Eating Habits, Inactivity Cited as Top Children’s Health Risks
A Field Poll finds that 48% of likely state voters say the top health risks to children are unhealthy diets and a lack of exercise. The poll also finds that 73% of voters believe it is communities’ responsibility to address childhood obesity. Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle.
San Diego Seeks Ways To Manage Frequent Users of Emergency Services
San Diego officials are working to address the frequent use of emergency services by a largely homeless population. According to experts, frequent emergency service users need access to better coordinated health care and more permanent housing options. U-T San Diego.
Napa, Solano Counties Have High Obesity, Smoking Rates
Solano and Napa counties have the highest smoking and binge drinking rates in the state, respectively, according to the “Adult Health Profiles” report by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. The study — which is based on the 2009 California Health Interview Survey — also found that Napa County had the highest obesity rate in the Bay Area and that Solano County’s obesity rate was significantly higher than the rest of the state. Vallejo Times-Herald.
Calif. Top State in Recouping Funds From Medicaid Fraud
California recouped $388.26 million from Medicaid fraud and patient abuse cases in fiscal year 2011, according to an HHS Office of the Inspector General report. The amount is the most recovered by any state that year. FierceHealthcare, HHS OIG report summary.
Budget, Funding Cuts Hinder Tuberculosis Control in Calif.
Tuberculosis continues to spread in places like California as funding for disease control shrinks. State and national budgets for TB control are declining, and advocacy groups are distributing fewer grants because of funding constraints. California could be at greater risk because of high rates of migration from poorer countries where TB is more prevalent, according an expert. HealthyCal.
Opinion Piece Endorses Salinas Valley/Natividad Merger
In a Salinas Californian opinion piece, former Monterey County Health Officer Robert Melton and John Morrison, a hospital and health care consultant, write that Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System should merge with Natividad Medical Center and form a local managed care organization, rather than joining “one of several large national hospital corporations.” According to Melton and Morrison, the “best solution” for Salinas Valley residents would be for the hospital to “keep health care dollars and decisions within the community.” Salinas Californian.
S.F. Elected Officials Rally Behind Medical Marijuana
At a rally on Tuesday, several San Francisco elected officials offered support for state-sanctioned medical marijuana dispensaries. The rally — which was held in response to a federal crackdown on California dispensaries — came one day after federal agents raided Oaksterdam University, a marijuana cultivation school in Oakland. San Francisco Chronicle.