Latest California Healthline Stories
PCORI Seeks Input on Draft Agenda for Health Research
On Monday, a group of experts who make up the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, which was created by the federal health reform law to assess the effectiveness of medical procedures, released its draft research agenda for public comment. The 22-page agenda highlights five priority areas for comparative effectiveness study, such as improving health care systems, communicating research and assessing prevention, diagnosis and treatment options. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Modern Healthcare.
Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy Helps Treat Eye Disease
In a study published in the journal Lancet on Monday, a team of researchers from California and Massachusetts found that an experimental treatment derived from human embryonic stem cells helped to significantly improve the vision of two southern California patients. The patients — who suffered from progressing forms of blindness — were treated at UCLA last summer. Advanced Cell Technology — which developed the therapy and funded the study — now is expanding the trial. New York Times et al.
Editorials Discuss Progress in Calif. Inmate Reduction Plans
A Sacramento Bee editorial notes that Gov. Brown’s statewide prison system realignment initiative “already is having a positive impact” on the system as the inmate population “has dropped by 11,000 in just six months.” Meanwhile, a San Jose Mercury News editorial argues that “[i]t’s hard to celebrate California’s progress in meeting constitutional health care standards for prison inmates when it’s spending the outrageous sum of $10,000 per inmate each year to do it.” Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News.
House Republicans Talk About Strategies for Overhauling Medicare
House Republicans recently outlined their 2012 agenda, pledging to focus on Medicare reform and other issues. House Budget Committee Chair Rep. Paul Ryan said the GOP likely would pursue a plan to offer subsidies for Medicare beneficiaries to purchase coverage. CQ Today et al.
HHS Reaffirms Reform Law’s Birth Control Coverage Rule
On Friday, HHS confirmed that most health insurers and employers by Aug. 1 must comply with a federal health reform law regulation to cover at no cost preventive services and contraceptives for women. The Obama administration rejected a request for a broad exemption by not-for-profit religious groups and employers that oppose birth control on religious grounds. However, such church-affiliated organizations will have additional time — until Aug. 1, 2013 — to comply with the requirement. New York Times et al.
Panel Examines Disparities Facing Male Minority Groups
Last week, the Assembly Select Committee on the Status of Boys and Men of Color in California convened a public hearing to discuss the disparities in health care and other social services that young black and Latino men and boys face in schools and communities. The committee heard from elected officials, religious leaders, community activists, educators and students to gather ideas on how to address such obstacles. Similar meetings are scheduled over the coming months. Oakland Tribune et al.
CHW Changes Name, Ends Board’s Affiliation With Catholic Church
Catholic Healthcare West is ending its governing board’s affiliation with the Catholic Church in an effort to make it easier to merge or affiliate with other hospital systems. CHW also is changing its name to Dignity Health. Kaiser Health News, Modern Healthcare.
Stanford Linking Up With Medical Groups for Not-for-Profit Alliance
Stanford Hospital & Clinics recently has affiliated with several medical practices as part of its not-for-profit University HealthCare Alliance. The alliance could increase competition for other organizations such as Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health. San Francisco Business Times.
Sacramento County Starts Mental Health Campaign
On Saturday, the Sacramento County Division of Behavioral Health Services launched a countywide media campaign designed to encourage individuals to seek treatment and to increase awareness of mental illness. This year, the county plans to spend $800,000 on the campaign, which will include commercials and public service announcements. The county campaign is part of a $12 million statewide initiative. Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
Health Industry Groups Donate Funds for Brown’s Tax Initiative
The California Association of Hospitals and Health Systems and Blue Shield of California have made contributions to Gov. Brown’s November tax initiative. Brown said support from Kaiser Permanente will be announced soon. KQED’s “Capital Notes” et al.