Latest California Healthline Stories
CDC Survey: Many U.S. Families Struggling To Pay Their Medical Bills
A CDC survey finds that one in five U.S. residents are in families who struggled to pay medical bills during the first half of 2011. About 45.8% of survey respondents with incomes just above the poverty line had trouble paying medical bills. HealthDay/Philadelphia Inquirer et al.
CMS To Introduce New User-Friendly Billing Statements for Medicare
This weekend, CMS plans to release new Medicare billing statements designed to make it easier for beneficiaries to review their forms and detect fraudulent charges. The new statements will use large font and plain English descriptions. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post.
Study: New RNs Cite Higher Commitment in Recession
Newly licensed registered nurses who practiced during the recent economic recession perceived fewer job opportunities but reported higher commitment to employers, a better work environment and fewer injuries, according to a recent study in the American Journal of Nursing. The study — funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation — surveyed new RNs twice, once in 2006 and once again during the recession in 2009. AHA News.
LAO: Delay Action on Brown’s Plan for Unemployment Fund
A new Legislative Analyst’s Office report urges lawmakers to hold off on acting on Gov. Brown’s proposal to change the state’s Unemployment Insurance Fund until “a long-term solvency plan” is drafted. Brown’s plan would continue borrowing money from the Disability Insurance Fund, raise payroll taxes on employers and tighten eligibility for unemployment benefits. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Reform Law Provides Funding Boost to School-Based Health Centers
The federal health reform law allocated $200 million for school health centers nationwide. A Los Angeles clinic system will use a $500,000 grant to open three school health centers by the end of the year. NPR’s “Shots.”
Study: California’s Follow-Up on Nursing Home Issues Inadequate
California’s oversight of nursing home investigations is lacking, according to a federal report. Findings show that inspectors approved corrective-action plans for facilities that did not meet federal standards in 77% of cases. California Watch.
Study Finds No Link Between Kids’ Food Environment, Diet
A new RAND Corporation study did not find a connection between childhood obesity rates and how close children lived to fast food restaurants and grocery stores. For the study — published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine — researchers examined 13,000 California children. KPCC’s “KPCC News,” KQED’s “State of Health.”
Federal Judge Dismisses Medical Marijuana Suit
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Dana Sabraw dismissed a lawsuit filed by San Diego medical marijuana advocates seeking to stop authorities from shutting down dispensaries. The federal judge already had rejected the plaintiffs’ requests for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction against U.S. attorneys’ actions against the dispensaries. U-T San Diego.
House Committee OKs Bill To Repeal Reform Law’s Payment Board
Yesterday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed legislation that would repeal the federal health reform law’s Independent Payment Advisory Board. The measure now goes to the House Rules and Ways and Means committees for mark ups. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Obama Administration Files Appeal for Tobacco Labeling
The Obama administration has filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia challenging a ruling that new laws forcing tobacco companies to add graphic warning labels to cigarette packaging are unconstitutional. Last week, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled that requiring tobacco companies to use the labels violated their free speech rights. Reuters.