Latest California Healthline Stories
White House Urges Clinics To Hire More Military Veterans
The White House is calling on community health centers to hire at least one veteran over the next three years and pledged to give grant funding to physician assistant programs that train veterans. The federal health reform law provides the centers with $11.5 billion through 2015 for staffing and operations improvements. Since 2010, the federal government also has provided about $45 million in grants for physician assistant training programs. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Washington Post‘s “44.”
Supreme Court To Mull Review of Antireform Lawsuits Next Month
On Nov. 10, the Supreme Court is expected to discuss whether it will review any of the lawsuits challenging the health reform law. The justices will weigh whether to combine issues from several cases or consider only challenges to the individual mandate. CQ HealthBeat et al.
Medical Schools See Rise in Enrollment, Application Rates
Medical school applications reached a record high in 2011, increasing by 2.6% to 32,654 first-time applicants, according to an annual report from the Association of American Medical Colleges. The report also found that total enrollment in medical schools increased by 3% — to 19,230 — between 2010 and 2011. Since 2002, enrollment in medical schools has increased by more than 16%. However, the increased enrollment might not be enough to offset an expected shortage of physicians. AAMC in 2006 said that medical schools should increase enrollment levels by 30% to combat anticipated shortages. Los Angeles Times‘ “Money & Company” et al.
Medical Marijuana Advocates Announce 2012 Ballot Plan
On Tuesday, California advocates for medical marijuana announced that they have started developing a 2012 ballot initiative that would establish statewide oversight of the sector. The effort is being led by key proponents of Proposition 19, the unsuccessful 2010 ballot measure that sought to legalize marijuana for recreational use. The advocates said that their new ballot measure likely will mirror an initiative in Colorado that proposed state inspections and licensing of medical marijuana growers and dispensaries. Sacramento Bee.
CSU-Sacramento To Offer Doctorate in Physical Therapy
In fall 2012, California State University-Sacramento will launch a new doctoral program in physical therapy, the first CSU campus to receive authorization for such a program. The school is accepting applications for the program until Jan. 16. It already has received more than 400 applications for 32 available slots. The program will include new courses in health and wellness, geriatrics, diagnostic imaging and neuroscience. By 2014, the school’s current master’s program will be phased out. Sacramento Business Journal.
CalPERS Says It Reduced Health Care Costs by $1.2 Billion Since 2008
A CalPERS report concludes that the public pension system has cut state health care costs by $1.2 billion since 2008 based on changes made to pharmacy copayments and negotiating premium increases. The report was prepared for lawmakers. Sacramento Business Journal, CalPERS release.
CMA Urges Federal Officials To Review Medi-Cal Payment Rates
The California Medical Association is asking CMS to evaluate whether the state sufficiently pays Medi-Cal providers to ensure beneficiaries have adequate access to care. The move comes as federal officials weigh proposed Medi-Cal cuts. California Watch.
CDC Panel Recommends That Boys, Young Men Receive HPV Vaccine
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at CDC voted to recommend that boys and young men receive routine vaccination against the human papillomavirus. Although CDC is not required to follow the panel’s guidance, it typically does so. New York Times et al.
GOP Governors Seek More State Control Over Medicaid
On Monday, four Republican governors sent a letter to the federal debt-reduction committee asking members to make changes to the Medicaid program and disregard President Obama’s recommendations for the program. The governors — Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels and Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell, who were representing the Republican Governors Association — said that Obama’s proposal to combine various rates of federal Medicaid funding into a single, blended rate would shift costs to the states. They recommended that the debt panel design deficit-reduction proposals around strategies that give states more control over their Medicaid programs. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch,” Washington Post‘s “2chambers.”
San Francisco Mayor Vetoes Amendment to Health Care Program
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee has vetoed an amendment to the Healthy San Francisco program that would have changed how employers can recoup unused funds from employee health reimbursement accounts. The issue could be placed before voters. San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Chronicle.