Latest California Healthline Stories
CDC: Birth Rates Still Falling, Particularly Among Teens
According to a report released on Thursday by the National Center for Health Statistics at CDC, the U.S. birth rate declined for the third consecutive year in 2010 and was marked by an especially steep decrease among teenagers. The largest decline was among teens ages 15 to 19, whose birth rate reached the lowest level since the government began tracking the data 70 years ago. The report also found that the preterm birth rate declined to about 12% in 2010 — a 6% decline from 2006 — which experts attribute in part to efforts by medical groups to discourage medically unnecessary labor inductions before 39 weeks of gestation. AP/Contra Costa Times et al.
Study: Counties Face Challenges To Meet Health Needs of Inmates
A RAND study finds that releasing lower-level prison inmates to county jurisdiction under the state’s realignment plan could strain local services. The study recommends that officials monitor how the plan would affect health care services. California Watch.
Kaiser Sues Calif. Nurses Union, Claiming Recent Strike Violated Contract
Kaiser Permanente has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the California Nurses Association violated its contract when the union took part in a strike in September. Kaiser is asking a court to order CNA into arbitration. Sacramento Business Journal, San Francisco Business Times.
Debt Panel Not Expected To Meet Deadlines for Finalizing Deficit Plan
Members of the debt panel say the group is unlikely to meet a deadline to submit a deficit-reduction plan to the Congressional Budget Office by the end of today. If the panel fails to reach a deal by Thanksgiving, automatic spending cuts will be triggered. AP/Washington Post.
Court Agrees To Rehear Case on VA Mental Health Care
In a brief issued Wednesday, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco accepted the Obama administration’s request to review a May ruling that allows veterans’ groups to file lawsuits against the Department of Veterans Affairs to accelerate the delivery of care for veterans with mental health issues. The Department of Justice argued that Congress in laws regulating veterans’ health care had intended “to prevent the courts from second-guessing the VA’s performance of these critical functions.” The brief did not indicate when the court’s full 11-judge panel would rehear the case, which was filed in 2007 by Veterans United for Truth and Veterans for Common Sense. San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times.
Insured U.S. Residents Seeing Physicians Less Often During Recession
A Kaiser Family Foundation analysis finds that privately insured U.S. residents made 17% fewer physician office visits in the second quarter of 2011 than in the same period in 2009. The report attributes the decline to the recent recession. MedPage Today, Modern Healthcare.
Study: Medicare Part D Copays To Rise Up to 40%
Copayments for preferred brand-name drugs under Medicare’s prescription drug plans are expected to increase by an average of 40% in 2012, while copays for non-preferred brand-name medications likely will increase by an average of 30%, according to a new Avalere Health study. Avalere noted that the study highlights how Medicare has started to shift costs to patients with chronic conditions who require more costly types of medications, while encouraging beneficiaries to select less costly generics to manage their conditions. Medicare officials challenged the findings of the study, noting that it is based on broad averages of the prices in the drug plans. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Kaiser Permanente Doles Out $5.1M in Safety-Net Grants
During the third quarter of 2011, Kaiser Permanente awarded $5.1 million in grants to Northern California safety-net hospitals and clinics. The grants aim to boost access to chronic disease management programs, health screenings, and heart disease and stroke prevention programs. The two-year grants were awarded through a Kaiser fund at the East Bay Community Foundation. San Francisco Business Times.
Debt Panel Urged To Consider Effects of Cuts to Entitlement Programs
Yesterday, lawmakers and beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid warned the debt panel of the consequences of cutting entitlement programs. Meanwhile, panel members said they are not optimistic that they will reach a deal before the Nov. 23 deadline. Modern Healthcare et al.
State Reaches Settlement To Establish New Version of ADHC
State officials and patient advocates have settled a lawsuit challenging the elimination of the adult day health care program as a Medi-Cal benefit. The settlement creates a new program for beneficiaries who need the most care. Contra Costa Times et al.