Latest California Healthline Stories
State Gets ‘D’ Grade in Report Card Analyzing Nurse-to-Resident Ratio
The California Institute for Nursing and Health Care has analyzed the ratio of working registered nurses to residents. The report card gave the state a “D” for having 644.4 nurses per 100,000 people, compared with the national average of 859.9 per 100,000. Fresno Bee, CINHC release.
Conference Committee Discusses Payroll Tax Cut, Medicare ‘Doc Fix’
Yesterday, a bipartisan conference committee met to discuss a yearlong measure to extend a payroll tax cut and delay scheduled reductions to Medicare physician payments. A short-term deal on the payroll tax cut and Medicare “doc fix” expires at the end of next month. AP/U-T San Diego et al.
President’s State of the Union Address Skimps on Health Care Issues
During his State of the Union address last night, President Obama spent little time discussing health care issues. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said he thought Obama “would rather not discuss” the federal health reform law during his re-election campaign. Politico et al.
Poll: Most Calif. Adults Would Pay Higher Taxes To Support Safety Net
A new poll from the Public Policy Institute of California finds that 57% of California adults would be willing to pay higher taxes to support the state’s safety-net programs. The poll also finds that 68% of likely voters support Gov. Brown’s tax hike proposal. HealthyCal et al.
Officials Raise Concerns Over Disbanding of Calif. Registered Nurse Board
Some officials are raising concerns that the disbanding of the California Board of Registered Nursing could negatively affect the public. State officials say that the board’s investigative work is continuing and that the public should not be concerned. California Watch.
Los Angeles Mayor Signs Adult Film Condom Mandate
On Monday, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed into law a new ordinance mandating that adult film producers provide condoms and require actors to wear them during filming in order to receive film permits. Meanwhile, the Simi Valley City Council next week is scheduled to vote on a similar ordinance amid concerns that adult filmmakers might move their productions to neighboring cities and suburban communities to avoid the Los Angeles condom requirement. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now,” Reuters.
Settlement in Adult Day Health Care Case OK’d
On Tuesday, a federal judge granted final approval to a recent settlement in a lawsuit challenging the state’s plan to eliminate the adult day health care program. Under the settlement, about half of the 35,000 participants in the ADHC program beginning in March will be eligible to join the new Community-Based Adult Services program, while the rest of the participants will receive case management services that allow them to continue living at home. Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
State Has No Whooping Cough Deaths for First Time in 20 Years
For the first year since 1991, the California Department of Public Health recorded no whooping cough deaths in the state last year. Officials credited the drop in deaths to greater awareness and wider availability of vaccinations. Los Angeles Times et al.
Tri-City Healthcare District Sued for Member Exclusion
The Tri-City Healthcare District is being sued over a decision in April 2011 to exclude an elected board member from some of its closed session meetings. The lawsuit argues that the agency should be prohibited from barring Randy Horton from executive sessions because doing so disenfranchises the 25,000 residents who voted for him. U-T San Diego.
Kaiser Unveils Smartphone App for EHR Data Access
On Tuesday, Kaiser Permanente announced that about nine million of its members now can use mobile phones to access their electronic health information. Members with Android smartphones also can use the no-cost mobile application to email physicians, obtain lab results and order prescription refills. An iPhone version of the app is expected to be released in the coming months. Healthcare IT News et al.