Latest California Healthline Stories
Three Unions Announce One-Day Strike at Kaiser Over Labor Negotiations
The National Union of Healthcare Workers is planning a Jan. 31 walkout at Kaiser Permanente hospitals in protest of labor issues. The California Nurses Association and Stationary Engineers Local 39 said that they will join in solidarity. Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal.
Supreme Court Will Not Debate Kagan’s Recusal From Reform Law Case
Yesterday, the Supreme Court denied a request from the conservative advocacy group Freedom Watch to debate whether Justice Elena Kagan should recuse herself or be disqualified from hearings in a lawsuit challenging the federal health reform law. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
California Stem Cell Agency, Scotland Sign Agreement
Last week, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine signed a memorandum of understanding with Scotland to facilitate collaboration between researchers. Danny Cusick — Scottish Development International’s president of the Americas — said the partnership will help create opportunities for Scottish companies to work with California businesses and researchers. San Francisco Business Times‘ “Biotech SF.”
House Members Call for Study of Weight-Loss Surgery, Advertising
California Rep. Henry Waxman and two other House members are calling on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to investigate the safety and effectiveness of the Lap-Band weight-loss procedure and its affiliated marketing campaigns. Los Angeles Times et al.
Nurses Union Participates in Fresno County Labor Walkout
Members of the California Nurses Association joined a three-day labor strike that began on Monday in Fresno County. The strike was planned by the 4,100-member Service Employees International Union over a new contract that includes pay cuts. CNA officials said county nurses face similar pay cuts of at least 10%. Meanwhile, Fresno County officials said they have taken steps to prevent possible disruptions to public health and social services during the strike. Fresno Business Journal, Fresno Bee.
Most Uninsured U.S. Residents Live in States Lagging on Reform Law
An Associated Press analysis and a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report find that three out of four uninsured U.S. residents live in states that have not made any major progress in creating health insurance exchanges under the health reform law. AP/Yahoo News, AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Psychiatric Group To Revise Autism Diagnostic Criteria
A panel convened by the American Psychiatric Association is proposing changes to the definition of autism for the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. About 25% of individuals diagnosed with autism under the previous guidelines would no longer fit the new criteria. As a result, many individuals who rely on government programs could lose those benefits because some of those services depend on an official diagnosis. New York Times.
New Health Plan Offers Coverage of Brain Injury Care for Student Athletes
Wells Fargo’s Student Insurance Division is offering insurance that aims to better manage brain injuries for student athletes in California. The level of diagnosis and treatment offered in the plan traditionally has been available only for professional athletes. Sacramento Bee.
Groups, Sacramento County Settle Mental Health Lawsuit
On Monday, mental health advocates announced a settlement in a lawsuit filed against Sacramento County in 2010 over budget cuts to mental health care. In an effort to cut costs, the county planned to replace mental health clinics run under competitively bid contracts with clinics staffed by county employees. Under the settlement, about 5,000 adults with significant psychiatric disabilities will continue to receive outpatient care from their existing contract providers. Sacramento Bee.
UCSF Chancellor Aims To Loosen Ties With UC System
Last week, UCSF Chancellor Susan Desmond-Hellmann told the UC Board of Regents that she would prefer to loosen ties between UCSF’s clinics, hospital, medical school and research facilities and the main UC system. According to Desmond-Hellmann, UCSF could become a leading health innovator worldwide if it took on a more autonomous role. The regents said they would task a committee to study the proposal and report back in July with recommendations. San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Business Times‘ “Bay Area Biz Talk.”