Latest California Healthline Stories
Editorial: Calif. Must Resolve Issue of Aging Prison Inmates
Although California has made strides to reduce overcrowding in prisons, it also must address the cost of holding a growing number of geriatric prisoners, according to a Sacramento Bee editorial that highlights a new Human Rights Watch report. The editorial states, “Dealing with geriatric populations behind bars is costly, especially since prisoners are not eligible for federal health insurance programs for the elderly.” It adds, “In addition to normal prison security costs, the state has to deal with the ailments of the old — mobility impairments, hearing and vision loss, dementia, illnesses that are chronic, disabling and terminal.” Sacramento Bee.
State Controller Warns California Could Run Out of Cash by Early March
State Controller John Chiang has sent a letter to budget leaders warning that California could run out of cash by early March. Brown administration officials say the spending gap stems in part from courts blocking planned cuts to health and welfare programs. Sacramento Bee et al.
Sacramento County To Be Part of CDC Health Study
CDC has selected Sacramento to be one of 15 counties to participate in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The survey — which will begin Thursday and continue through April 1 — aims to identify health issues and guide the federal government in developing initiatives and policies to address those issues. Sacramento Bee.
Officials Dispute Size of Kaiser Permanente Worker Strike
Officials from Kaiser Permanente and the National Union of Healthcare Workers offered conflicting reports on the number of employees who participated in a one-day strike on Tuesday. NUHW held the strike over proposed cuts to health and retirement benefits for mental health and psychiatric care workers. The California Nurses Association-National Nurses United and Stationary Engineers Local 39 union agreed to join the walkout in sympathy. Sacramento Business Journal, San Jose Mercury News.
Blue Shield, CDI Reach Settlement on Coverage of Autism Therapy
Blue Shield of California has reached a settlement with the California Department of Insurance to cover behavioral therapy as a treatment for autism under the state’s Mental Health Parity Law. Los Angeles Times, AP/San Jose Mercury News.
House Poised To Repeal Federal Health Reform Law’s CLASS Program
Today, the House is expected to pass legislation to repeal the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program created by the federal health reform law. However, the bill is unlikely to secure enough support to pass in the Senate. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” National Journal.
Lawmakers Considering Renewal of User Fees for FDA Approval Processes
In today’s hearing of a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee, health industry experts are expected to seek renewal of FDA’s authority to collect user fees from drugmakers and medical device companies for agency approval processes. CQ Today et al.
CMA Endorses Gov. Brown’s Proposed Tax Ballot Measure
On Tuesday, the California Medical Association endorsed Gov. Brown’s tax initiative to help close the state’s estimated $9.2 billion budget deficit for fiscal year 2012-2013. Several health care organizations — including Blue Shield of California and the California Association of Hospitals and Health Systems — have made contributions toward the initiative, which Brown intends to place on the November ballot. San Jose Mercury News.
State Officials Seek To Educate Residents With Long-Term Care Website
California officials are directing residents to a website that explains the benefits of long-term care plans and provides details on available policies. Many adults do not purchase long-term care insurance because of the cost or because they do not think they need it. HealthyCal.
FDA OKs Genentech Drug To Treat Advanced Skin Cancer
On Monday, FDA approved the first drug to treat an advanced form of basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer. The drug — known generically as vismodegib — will be marketed as Erivedge by California-based Genentech. The company estimates that a 10-month treatment course would cost about $75,000. New York Times‘ “Prescriptions,” Wall Street Journal.