Latest California Healthline Stories
Californians Concerned About Health Care Costs, New Survey Finds
A new survey from the California HealthCare Foundation finds that many residents are worried about health costs but that only 25% of respondents consider prices before seeking care. Nearly 50% of survey respondents said they do not know their deductible. HealthyCal, CHCF survey.
California Will Not Appeal Ruling Against First 5 Funding Shift
The state will not appeal a 2011 court ruling that rejected lawmakers’ plan to shift $1 billion away from First 5 commissions. The commissions are seeking reimbursement for an estimated $586,000 in legal fees. California Watch.
Brown Says No Sign of Deal With Munger on Tax Increase Proposal
Gov. Brown said there is no tax deal in the works with Molly Munger, the proponent of a rival tax hike proposal. Brown also said a new compromise tax plan he has reached with backers of the “Millionaires Tax” would not lead to budget volatility. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Bono Mack Promoting Efforts To Curb Rx Painkiller Misuse
U.S Rep. Mary Bono Mack, a vocal proponent of legislation to regulate and curb the misuse of prescription pain medications, says that laws are needed to stop what she considers to be an “epidemic” of painkiller misuse among teenagers. Bono Mack has introduced a bill that aims to train physicians about strong pain medications and curb their misuse. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
House To Consider Bill To Repeal Reform Law’s Payment Advisory Board
Today, the House is scheduled to consider legislation that would repeal the Independent Payment Advisory Board created under the federal health reform law. President Obama has pledged to veto the IPAB repeal measure if it reaches his desk. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Editorial Calls for Open Debate on Santa Clara Health Plan
A San Jose Mercury News editorial argues that Santa Clara County supervisors should hold a “full, transparent debate” on whether county officials should take over the community-run Santa Clara Family Health Plan. The editorial states that such a move would “threate[n] the collaborative relationships among [health care] providers that are essential for the county’s transition to health care reform.” It notes, “The county supervisors need to involve the public and the providers in the debate about the plan’s future.” San Jose Mercury News.
Mt. Diablo Health District To Proceed With Grant Awards
Mt. Diablo Health Care District Board Chair Jeff Kasper said the district will proceed with its plans to award grants to area not-for-profits while the process to disband the board and turn over the district’s funding and responsibilities to Concord continues. Contra Costa Times.
Study: Much of Mental Health Panel Has Ties to Rx Industry
About 69% of the members of a panel revising the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders have current or past financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry, according to a new report published in the journal PLoS Medicine. Lisa Cosgrove of the University of Massachusetts-Boston and Sheldon Krimsky of Tufts University School of Medicine — the report’s authors — found that 16 of the approximately 140 members of the panel are California-based physicians and researchers. California Watch.
Teen Birth Rates in Calif. Fall to Record Low in 2010, State Data Show
Data from the California Department of Public Health show that the state’s rate of teenage births decreased in 2010 to a record low of 29 births for every 1,000 girls ages 15 to 19. Public health experts partially credit teen pregnancy prevention programs for the decline. U-T San Diego.
Telepharmacy Startup Gets Investment From CHCF
The California HealthCare Foundation has invested in Pipeline Healthcare Solutions, a telepharmacy startup firm. CHCF’s investment aims to help bring the benefits of telepharmacy to rural and safety-net hospitals in the state. InformationWeek.