Latest California Healthline Stories
Supreme Court Rejects Patent Protections for Certain Diagnostic Tests
Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled that companies cannot obtain patent protection for screening tests that help doctors determine dosages, treatment options or disease risks. The case stems from a lawsuit that Prometheus Laboratories filed against Mayo Clinic. Reuters et al.
State Attorney General’s Office OKs Compromise Tax Plan for Circulation
Supporters of a compromise tax plan reached by Gov. Brown and backers of the “Millionaires Tax” have received clearance from the state attorney general’s office to gather the more than 800,000 signatures required to put the measure on the November ballot. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Study: Medicaid Enrollees Face Barriers to Primary Care
Medicaid beneficiaries nationwide are nearly twice as likely as privately insured individuals to face barriers to primary care, according to a study in the Annals of Emergency Medicine. The study also found that Medicaid beneficiaries are much more likely to visit emergency departments. The study analyzed responses of 230,258 patients who participated in the National Health Interview Surveys from 1999 to 2009. MedPage Today, UPI.
Republicans, Democrats Gear Up for Anniversary of Health Reform Law
As the two-year anniversary of the federal health reform law approaches, Republicans are launching a coordinated effort to highlight the law’s shortcomings. Meanwhile, Democrats have planned a series of events to showcase the benefits of the overhaul. USA Today et al.
Appeals Court Upholds Graphic Warning Labels for Tobacco Products
Yesterday, the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the government’s right to mandate graphic warning labels on cigarette packages. The decision follows a ruling by a Washington, D.C., judge last month finding the graphic warning label mandate unconstitutional. Politico et al.
CalPERS Oversight Is Lacking, Recent Survey on Accountability Says
A survey by the Center for Public Integrity and Public Radio International finds that oversight of CalPERS is lacking. Critics want more independent guidance on the CalPERS board, noting that it is overrepresented by individuals who could benefit from its decisions. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Report: Many Californians With Dementia Live Alone
According to a recent Alzheimer’s Association report, more than 800,000 U.S. residents with dementia live alone, including about 72,000 in California. Experts say those numbers are expected to increase dramatically as the baby boom generation ages. Sacramento Bee.
LAO Notes Possible Challenges for Gov. Brown’s Proposed IHSS Cuts
The Legislative Analyst’s Office says cuts proposed by Gov. Brown for In-Home Supportive Services could face legal challenges and be difficult to implement. LAO is offering alternative cost-saving proposals. HealthyCal, Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Poll Finds Obesity Rates in L.A. Region Down About 3%
Obesity rates among residents of the Los Angeles, Long Beach and Santa Ana metro areas have decreased by nearly 3% since 2009, according to a new poll by Gallup and Healthways. The poll also found that diabetes rates in the region have dropped by about 1% from 2010. The findings suggest that more residents in the area are exercising regularly. KPCC’s “KPCC News.”
Incoming Cal eConnect CEO Withdraws From New Post
On Monday, Cal eConnect — the agency that oversees health information exchange in California — announced that Ted Kremer has decided to withdraw as the next CEO of the organization. Kremer will continue serving as executive director of the Rochester Regional Health Information Organization in New York. Cal eConnect did not provide a reason for Kremer’s decision but said that Laura Landry — the organization’s interim CEO — will assume the permanent CEO position. Modern Healthcare et al.