Latest California Healthline Stories
Report: Recent Surge in Number of Nurses Could Offset Possible Shortage
A new study published in Health Affairs finds that the number of registered nurses between ages 23 and 26 increased by 62% between 2002 and 2009. The trend means the supply of nurses likely will keep pace with population growth through 2030. Los Angeles Times et al.
Poll: Two-Thirds of Calif. Voters Disapprove of Automatic Budget Cuts
About two-thirds of California voters oppose the possibility of spending cuts that would be triggered to make up for low state revenue, according to a new Field Poll. The cuts would affect programs including health and human services. Riverside Press-Enterprise et al.
California Settles Lawsuit on Children’s Mental Health Care
A judge has finalized a settlement requiring the state to provide foster children and at-risk children with mental health care services through Medi-Cal. Advocates had said the state failed to provide the care the children needed. AP/San Diego Union-Tribune.
Court OKs Compensation for Some Bone Marrow Donors
A three-member panel of the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a federal law prohibiting payment for donated organs does not apply to bone marrow harvested from a donor’s blood. The 1984 National Organ Transplant Act prohibits donor payment for bone marrow but permits compensation for blood, sperm and egg donations. According to the court, a new technology that extracts cells from donors’ bloodstreams is not covered by the law because the process is nearly identical to donating blood. The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by a coalition of patients and the California-based not-for-profit organization More Marrow Donors. New York Times et al.
HHS Releases Revision to Health Reform Law’s Medical-Loss Ratio Rule
Last week, HHS unveiled revisions to the final rule on medical-loss ratio requirements under the federal health reform law. The revisions state that health insurers must provide consumers with information about how their premium payments are being spent. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Judge Stops State From Planning for In-Home Supportive Services Cuts
A judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the state from notifying In-Home Supportive Services beneficiaries that the program could face automatic cuts if state revenue projections fail to meet budget estimates. Sacramento Business Journal, AP/Santa Cruz Sentinel.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for November 2011
Mark Laret, CEO of UC-San Francisco Medical Center, has been elected to serve a one-year term as chair of the board for the Association of American Medical Colleges. Meanwhile, the California Health Benefit Exchange recently appointed three people to senior leadership positions.
New Nursing School Graduates in State Struggling To Find Jobs
Many newly trained nurses in California are having a difficult time locating jobs, as hospitals hire veteran nurses and fewer nurses retire. More jobs are expected to become available as the economy improves and baby boomers retire. Sacramento Bee.
San Bernardino County To Launch Stroke Care Network
Three San Bernardino County hospitals are forming a network to provide emergency care for patients who have experienced a stroke. Reza Vaezazizi — medical director for the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency — said that the network is designed to shorten the amount of time it takes to treat stroke patients. Vaezazizi added that three more hospitals likely will join the network next year. Los Angeles and Orange counties operate similar stroke care networks. Redlands Daily Facts.
Pharmacists Expressing Concern With Medi-Cal Reimbursement Cuts
California pharmacists are raising concern that their profit margins could be negatively affected by the recently approved 10% cut to Medi-Cal payments. Pharmacists could have to pay funds back to the state because the cuts are retroactive to June 1. Riverside Press-Enterprise.