Latest California Healthline Stories
Federal Oversight of Two Calif. Mental Hospitals Ends
Patton State Hospital and Atascadero State Hospital no longer are subject to federal oversight under a consent judgment on patient care that state and federal officials reached in 2006, according to an order issued Monday by a federal judge in Los Angeles. However, the judge extended until Dec. 2 the consent judgment for two other mental hospitals — Napa State Hospital and Metropolitan State Hospital in Norwalk. The federal government sued the state to force reforms in the four hospitals after reports found poor treatment planning, overuse of medication and restraints, and inadequate patient safety. Los Angeles Times.
Despite Debt Stalemate, Obama Opposes Plan To Repeal Automatic Cuts
President Obama says he will not sign legislation to repeal automatic spending cuts that would take effect if the debt panel fails to reach an agreement before Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, some lawmakers are urging the panel to consider cuts to Tricare. Wall Street Journal et al.
Supreme Court Decision Unlikely To End Debate on Health Care Reform
The U.S. Supreme Court’s forthcoming review of the health reform law’s constitutionality is unlikely to settle national debate on the issue. Many lawmakers plan to continue their efforts to repeal or implement the law, regardless of the court’s decision. AP/Washington Post et al.
S.F. County Takes Part in Federal Health Care Study
Federal researchers have begun evaluating, measuring and interviewing San Francisco County residents about their health care and dietary habits as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. San Francisco County was selected as one of 15 counties this year for the 52nd annual survey, which provides federal agencies with health care data for a range of initiatives and policies. Researchers hope to interview at least 500 randomly selected San Francisco County residents, and program officials expect that at least 70% of residents will be Asian. San Francisco Chronicle.
Language, Culture Barriers Persist for Hmong Patients
In a study released last week, the Hmong Health Collaborative in California found that language and cultural differences are key barriers to health care for young adult Hmong residents in the state. The survey of Hmong women and men ages 18 to 46 — released by the Central Valley Health Policy Institute at California State University-Fresno — found that poor communication and a lack of culturally competent care were the primary reasons for Hmong adults’ hesitancy to seek health care. Other barriers include a disconnect between Western and Hmong medicine and a lack of insurance. Fresno Bee‘s “News Blog.”
States Have Cut $1.7B in Mental Health Care Funding
Twenty-eight states and the District of Columbia have reduced their mental health budgets by nearly $1.7 billion since fiscal year 2009, according to a report by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The report found that California, New York and Illinois collectively accounted for $1.2 billion in mental health budget cuts. According to NAMI, the budget cuts were exacerbated in June with the expiration of $87 billion in federal stimulus aid to state Medicaid programs, which led states to shift funds from mental health services to their Medicaid programs. AP/San Francisco Chronicle.
Panel: Kids Should Receive Cholesterol Tests by Age 11
A panel appointed by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute is recommending that children be screened for high cholesterol between ages nine and 11 and again between ages 17 and 21 in an effort to address cardiovascular disease. The panel also recommends screening for diabetes every two years beginning at age nine for children who are overweight or obese or have other risks for diabetes, such as family history. The American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed the guidelines. AP/Miami Herald et al.
Supreme Court To Review Case Challenging Health Reform Law
This morning, the Supreme Court announced it will review legal challenges against the federal health reform law in spring 2012. The court will review a case filed by 26 states and the National Federation of Independent Business. Reuters et al.
Ventura Co. Medi-Cal Plan Struggles To Sign Up Anesthesiologists
Anesthesiologists in Ventura County have rejected contracts from Gold Coast Health Plan, which operates a Medi-Cal managed care plan. Some physicians say low Medi-Cal reimbursement rates led to their decision to reject contracts. Ventura County Star.
Federal Officials Launch Grant Program To Boost Health Care Workforce
The Obama administration’s Health Care Innovation Challenge will hand out $1 billion in grants to help organizations experiment with ways to expand the health care workforce to address the expected influx of newly insured residents under the health reform law. Washington Post.