Latest California Healthline Stories
Medicare Unveils New Online Patient Safety Ratings for Hospitals
Medicare officials have posted to the Hospital Compare website new patient safety rankings for facilities across the country. Patient advocates have praised the move, while some critics argue that the rankings rely on unfair measurements to assess patient safety. Kaiser Health News/MSNBC.
Some States Seek Waivers for Broader Reform Changes
Several Democratic governors are seeking to implement measures that go beyond the requirements of the federal health reform law, but they face a complicated task of implementing the law and seeking permission to opt out of certain elements. For example, Oregon has approved its own health reform plan — which would overhaul physician payments and allow public employees to enroll in Medicaid — but needs the Obama administration to grant the state waivers to pursue such reforms. Meanwhile, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer last month announced plans to apply for a waiver from the overhaul’s mandate to establish a state-based health insurance exchange to create a single-payer health insurance system in the state. The Obama administration maintains that it is open to ideas that diverge from the federal health reform law. Washington Post.
San Francisco-Area Employers Seek Ways To Keep Health Costs Down
Many employers in the San Francisco area are seeking ways to control increasing health care benefit costs. Some of the strategies include encouraging workers to use health savings accounts and adopting population risk management tools. San Francisco Business Times.
Obama Administration Ends Reform Law’s CLASS Program
The Obama administration says it will shut down the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act because it is not financially sustainable. Eliminating the long-term care program will cut billions in projected savings from the reform law. New York Times et al.
Calif. Physician Group Adopts Policy Calling for Legalization of Marijuana
The California Medical Association is calling for the legalization of the use of marijuana, despite acknowledging that the drug is associated with health risks. Some physicians and law enforcement officials are criticizing CMA’s stance. Los Angeles Times.
Editorial Calls Veto of Dense Breast Tissue Bill ‘Infuriating’
A San Jose Mercury News editorial states that it was “infuriating” to see Gov. Brown veto a bill, by Sen. Joe Simitian, that would have required mammogram providers to inform women if they have dense breast tissue, which can mask or mimic cancer. According to the editorial, Brown explained in his veto statement that he “he objected to the notification suggesting women talk to their physicians about further screening.” The editorial adds, “If women learn mammograms aren’t effective for them, they’d be crazy not to ask about alternatives.” The editorial suggests that Simitian resubmit the bill “minus the offending suggestion to consult doctors” when the Legislature reconvenes, noting that it already received “broad bipartisan support.” San Jose Mercury News.
Public Health Initiatives at Risk if Debt Panel Does Not Reach Agreement
Public health initiative funds could drop if the debt-reduction panel fails to agree on ways to cut the deficit. Areas that could be affected under automatic cuts include medical research and HIV/AIDS prevention programs. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post, CQ Today.
Opinion: Medi-Cal Cuts Would Hurt Community Pharmacies
“Community-based pharmacies play an important role in … our health care delivery system, [e]specially in low-income communities,” David DeLuz — president and CEO of the Greater Sacramento Urban League — writes in a Capitol Weekly opinion piece. However, “California’s recent proposal to cut all Medi-Cal provider reimbursements by 10% … will force more pharmacies to stop accepting Medi-Cal, or else cut other costs by laying off employees, reducing hours of operation, or even closing altogether,” DeLuz writes, concluding, “The Greater Sacramento Urban League urges [CMS] to reject California’s attempted 10% cut to Medi-Cal pharmacy providers, who play such a foundational role in keeping our families and communities healthy.” Capitol Weekly.
Fire Stations Could Offer Care in Alameda County Pilot
During a Newark City Council meeting last week, Alameda County Fire Chief Sheldon Gilbert and Alex Briscoe, director of the county’s Health Care Services Agency, introduced a proposal for the Fire Station Health Care Portal pilot program. Under the program, five fire stations would be selected to provide primary care services geared toward uninsured and underinsured residents, and each station would be staffed with a firefighter paramedic, a care coordinator and a nurse practitioner. Briscoe said a feasibility assessment study will be presented to the county board of supervisors in January for approval. About $6 million would be needed to operate the pilot program, according to Briscoe and Gilbert. Oakland Tribune.
Report: Some California Hospitals Still Rated as Being Highly Collapsible
Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development data show that in San Bernardino County, more than 40 hospital buildings are rated as highly collapsible. Hospital officials say they are facing financial challenges in trying to comply with seismic safety rules. San Bernardino Sun.