Latest California Healthline Stories
Study: Whooping Cough Vaccine Wears Off in Kids After Three Years
A new California study finds that children who have gone at least three years since having their last whooping cough shot are up to 20 times more likely to contract the disease than those who were vaccinated more recently. San Francisco Chronicle, AP/Boston Globe.
Stakeholders Criticize Portions of President’s Deficit Reduction Plan
Many lawmakers and advocacy groups have criticized elements of the $3 trillion debt-reduction plan that President Obama unveiled yesterday. The plan calls for taxing high-income residents and cutting billions of dollars from Medicare and Medicaid. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Brown OKs Health Industry Fees, Vetoes Budget-Related Measure
Gov. Brown has signed two bills designed to extend revenue initiatives for California’s health care industry. Brown also vetoed legislation that would have let lawmakers weigh alternatives in making emergency budget cuts. San Jose Mercury News et al.
UC-San Diego Opens New Medical Training Center
UC-San Diego School of Medicine has opened a $70 million, 100,000 square-foot Medical Education and Telemedicine Center. The three-story facility features authentic replicas of hospital emergency departments, intensive care units, and surgery and treatment rooms, as well as $30 million worth of advanced medical equipment for students, medical faculty and visiting physicians to use. San Diego Union-Tribune, La Jolla Light.
CalPERS Rolls Out $507M Benefits Tracking System
CalPERS on Monday will go live with a new $507 million computer system that will track contributions, health care coverage and retirement benefits for 1.6 million members. The system, called My CalPERS, cost nearly double original estimates and is a year late. Last week, a CalPERS official said the pension fund expects some startup problems with the software but has “a solid plan for continued improvement.” Los Angeles Times.
HHS’ Move To Block Access to Doctors’ Records Draws Ire
Last week, several consumer advocacy and journalism groups criticized the Obama administration’s removal of certain information from the National Practitioner Data Bank, which tracks physician disciplinary actions and malpractice claims. HHS blocked access to the public section of the database because of confidentiality concerns expressed by a physician. HHS spokesperson Martin Kramer said the agency is working to restore public access to the data. Reuters et al.
California Faces Issue of Record Falsification at Some Nursing Homes
California attorneys who bring lawsuits against nursing homes have said medical record falsification at long-term care facilities is a widespread issue in the state. However, the nursing home industry has argued that it is not a prevalent issue. Sacramento Bee.
States Weigh Joining Compact To Get Out of Reform Law Provisions
Many state leaders who oppose the federal health reform law are considering joining the Health Care Compact to shield their state from some elements of the reform law. The compact would replace federal health programs with block grants to states. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post.
Thousands of Medical Workers Plan Walkout at Kaiser, Sutter Facilities
Thousands of unionized health care workers in California are planning a one-day strike at 34 hospitals in the Sutter Health and Kaiser Permanente systems. Workers are protesting proposed cuts to medical and retirement benefits. Vallejo Times-Herald, Sacramento Business Journal.
President’s New Deficit Reduction Plan Includes Cuts to Health Programs
This morning, President Obama released a proposal to reduce the federal deficit by $3 trillion over 10 years. The plan calls for cutting $248 billion from Medicare, primarily by reducing overpayments. It also would cut $72 billion from Medicaid. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.