Latest California Healthline Stories
Opinion: Mental Health Funds Are Not Being Used Correctly
In a Capitol Weekly opinion piece, DJ Jaffe — founder and executive director of Mental Illness Policy Org. — argues that the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission “is diverting” funding from the Mental Health Services Act to “committees, consultants, PR firms, publishers, art directors” and other uses “instead of programs for people with severe mental illness.” Jaffe offers several suggestions to address the issue. Capitol Weekly.
Government Health Care Spending To Reach $1.8T by 2022, CBO Predicts
Today, the Congressional Budget Office released an economic outlook predicting that the cost of government health care programs will more than double over the next 10 years to $1.8 trillion, representing about 7% of the U.S. economy. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Wall Street Journal.
Bariatric Surgeons Weigh In on 1-800-GET-THIN Ads
Last week, weight-loss surgeons from across the U.S. sent a letter to House members criticizing the surgery centers associated with the 1-800-GET-THIN advertising for Lap-Band surgery. Rep. Henry Waxman and other House members have called for an investigation into the 1-800-GET-THIN weight-loss advertisements and the safety and effectiveness of the Lap-Band device. Los Angeles Times.
Judge Tentatively Blocks 10% Cut to Medi-Cal Reimbursement Rates
A judge has issued a tentative ruling to block a 10% reduction to Medi-Cal payment rates while a lawsuit challenging the cuts continues. The judge said the state’s budget issues do not outweigh the harm that the reductions could cause. AP/Sacramento Bee et al.
Study Looks for Symptoms of Trauma in S.F. Schools
Seven San Francisco middle schools are participating in a federal survey funded by the U.S. Department of Education that examines mental, physical and emotional symptoms from stressful events in the lives of students. Early results from the four-year, $3.4 million study show that about five or six children in every classroom have the symptoms, which can increase their risk for post-traumatic stress disorder or other trauma-related issues. San Francisco Chronicle.
Report: Data Lacking on Physicians Leaving Medicare
Medicare contractors do not adequately track the number of physicians who opt out of the program, making it difficult to determine their reasons for leaving, according to a report from the HHS Office of Inspector General. The number of physicians who opted out of Medicare increased annually between 2006 and 2010, but investigators could not determine why physicians were leaving Medicare because of insufficient data. MedPage Today, Modern Healthcare.
Hair Products Maker Settles Calif. Lawsuit Over Use of Carcinogen
On Monday, California announced a $600,000 settlement with the manufacturer of the Brazilian Blowout hair-straightening treatment. The company was accused of failing to inform users that its products contain formaldehyde, which the state classifies as a carcinogen. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Federal Overhaul Will Require Mass To Adjust its Health Reform Law
Although Massachusetts’ 2006 health reform law is similar to the federal overhaul, state officials will need to make changes to comply with federal standards. Meanwhile, a new poll finds that most U.S. residents know little about Massachusetts’ reform law. Politico, Washington Post‘s “WonkBlog.”
Lawmakers Advance Bills on Physical Therapy, Hospital Smoking Ban
The California Assembly has passed a bill to expand an existing hospital smoking ban to include campuses. Meanwhile, the Senate has cleared legislation to let consumers seek care from physical therapists without referrals. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal,” AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Judge Bars Riverside County Health Workers From Strike
On Monday, Judge John Vineyard issued a temporary restraining order prohibiting 248 Riverside County health care workers from joining a one-day strike planned for Tuesday by the Service Employees International Union Local 721 after the county argued that the workers’ jobs were vital. The workers included nurses at the Riverside County Regional Medical Center and jail facilities. However, Vineyard said that 17 other health care workers — such as clinical lab scientists and operating scrub techs — could join the walkout. Riverside Press-Enterprise.