Latest California Healthline Stories
Calif. Long-Term Care Ombudsmen Concerned With Medical Parole Law
Long-term care ombudsmen in California are expressing concern that a state law allowing parolees to receive care at nursing homes could put other residents’ safety at risk. However, one lawyer contends that the parolees do not pose threats to others. Bay Citizen/New York Times.
State Receives “F” for Inadequate Funding of Tobacco Prevention
On Thursday, the American Lung Association released a state-by-state report card that gave California an “F” grade for not adequately funding tobacco prevention and control programs. However, the state received an “A” for its smoke-free air policies. San Bernardino Sun et al.
GOP Marks One-Year Anniversary of Attempt To Repeal Reform Law
Yesterday, House Republicans celebrated the one-year anniversary of their unsuccessful attempt to dismantle the federal health reform law by commending themselves for dismantling smaller reform law provisions over the past year. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Fresno County Preparing for Large Labor Strike Next Week
On Thursday, Fresno County officials said steps are being taken to ensure public safety and essential services are maintained during a three-day labor strike planned by the 4,100-member Service Employees International Union over a new contract that includes pay cuts of at least 9%. The strike, which is set to begin on Monday, may affect some public health and social services, such as mental health treatment and Medi-Cal benefits, according to officials. Meanwhile, the California Nurses Association might consider a similar strike after its 75 county nurses experienced similar pay cuts. Fresno Bee.
Santorum Attacks Romney, Gingrich on Health Reform
During a debate in South Carolina on Thursday night, former Sen. Rick Santorum said that two of his fellow Republican presidential candidates — former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich — lack the credibility to argue against the federal health reform law in a debate with President Obama because of their well-documented support for an individual mandate. Santorum said the 2006 Massachusetts health care law that Romney signed includes such a mandate and was a model for the federal overhaul. He also said that Gingrich has long supported an individual mandate. Los Angeles Times et al.
CBO: Medicare Cost-Cutting Programs Fall Short of Goals
Pilot programs established under the federal health reform law to study Medicare payment reform did not produce significant savings or improve health care quality, according to a Congressional Budget Office brief. On average, the 34 programs that were part of six demonstration projects to improve care coordination for patients with chronic diseases had little or no effect on hospital admissions or Medicare spending. Meanwhile, only one of four programs that offered financial incentives for higher quality care reduced spending, according to CBO. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Modern Healthcare.
Panel Sends Single-Payer Health Care Bill to Full Senate
On Thursday, the California Senate Appropriations Committee voted 6-2 to approve a bill, by Sen. Mark Leno, that would create a single-payer health care system, clearing the way for a vote in the full Senate. An analysis of the bill found that creating a single-payer system to serve all 37 million state residents could cost up to $250 billion annually. The measure does not include any taxes or fees to offset the cost of the system, which would be run by a new state agency. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of January 20, 2012
UC-San Diego Medical Center has renovated its fifth floor to create a new, 24-bed continuous care trauma unit. Meanwhile, St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton recently installed a new $250,000 clinical communication and data delivery system for paging physicians.
Kaiser Permanente To Switch to Eco-Friendly Equipment
On Thursday, Kaiser Permanente announced it will convert its intravenous equipment to safer alternatives that are devoid of two chemicals that have negative effects on health and the environment. Kaiser will begin purchasing medical products that are free of the chemicals PVC and DEHP, which can cause reproductive problems and other negative health effects, and pollute the environment. The announcement reflects a broader push by the U.S. health care system to encourage medical equipment suppliers to use safer chemicals when manufacturing products. Washington Post.
Federal Judge Continues To Block In-Home Supportive Services Cuts
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken issued a preliminary injunction to continue to prevent the state from implementing cuts to the In-Home Supportive Services program. The state plans to challenge the order. San Francisco Chronicle et al.