Latest California Healthline Stories
$5M UC-Riverside Med School Grant Closer to Final Approval
On Tuesday, a Desert Healthcare District committee voted unanimously to recommend a $5 million grant to UC-Riverside’s proposed medical school. The grant would be distributed as five $1 million grants over five years for four key initiatives to improve health care in the Coachella Valley. The funding would be used to hire primary care doctors; develop residency and clinical training programs; build a school-wide telemedicine system; and reinforce local health education programs. The full board is scheduled to vote Sept. 27 on final approval of the grant. Palm Springs Desert Sun.
HHS Initiative Aims To Trim Heart Attack, Stroke Deaths
On Tuesday, HHS launched the Million Hearts campaign to prevent one million deaths from heart attacks and strokes over the next five years through clinical interventions and lifestyle changes. Participating organizations — which include the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association — will seek to raise awareness of heart disease, improve access to quality health care and encourage healthy behaviors. According to HHS, there are about two million heart attacks and strokes annually and 800,000 deaths, many of which can be prevented with basic health care. HealthDay et al.
Hospital Employees Spend More Time, Money on Care
Hospital employees spend more time and money on health care than average U.S. workers, according to a new Thomson Reuters study. For the study, researchers compared the health risk and care utilization for 1.1 million hospital employees with those for 17.8 million health plan members across other U.S. industries. Overall, the study found that hospital workers and their dependents spent $4,662 per year, which is $538, or 13%, more than the general population. Researchers also reported that hospital workers and their dependents used hospitals 8.6% more often for chronic conditions and were 22% more likely to visit the emergency department. Modern Healthcare, Reuters.
Census: More Californians Lack Health Insurance, Live in Poverty
New census data show that nearly one in five Californians lacked health insurance last year and that about 16% of state residents lived below the poverty level. California ranked eighth among states with the highest rates of uninsured residents. Los Angeles Times et al.
Treasurer Urges Brown To Reject Bill To Adjust Triggered Budget Cuts
The state treasurer’s office has called on Gov. Brown to reject a bill that would require the administration to seek counsel with lawmakers about previously approved budget cuts, which would be triggered if state revenue expectations fall short. AP/San Jose Mercury News.
Kaiser Permanente Clinches HIMSS Award for Health IT
On Tuesday, Kaiser Permanente was named by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society as one of six recipients of the 2011 Davies Awards of Excellence, which recognize health care providers and organizations for their implementation and use of health information technology. HIMSS officials said Kaiser and the five other winners used electronic health records and other IT tools to deliver consistent, high-quality care. The other winners are based in Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts and New York. Healthcare IT News.
New Data Show Diabetes Epidemic Continues To Grow
On Tuesday, officials at the International Diabetes Federation issued a warning about a growing global diabetes epidemic, noting that a “staggering” 366 million people now have the disease. During a meeting in Portugal, experts estimated that diabetes causes 4.6 million deaths each year and that health systems spend $465 billion annually to treat the disease. IDF urged global health officials during a United Nations summit in New York next week to identify specific prevention efforts and to invest in more research. Reuters et al.
Debt Panel Discusses Entitlement Spending in First Policy Meeting
During the debt panel’s first policy meeting yesterday, lawmakers discussed federal spending on entitlement programs. Meanwhile, members of the Healthcare Leadership Council are expected to ask the panel to consider certain changes to Medicare. Modern Healthcare et al.
Columnist: Legislative Action on Health Care Is Complex
Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Walters writes that health care “is now California’s largest single economic activity, and government regulation and financing are key factors, thereby spawning heavy political activity.” However, health care also is “a matter of life and death and as individual as a fingerprint, which convolute its politics even more,” he adds. Walters cites two pieces of legislation that help “illustrate the complications.” One bill would require health care providers to inform women with high-density breast tissue about the limitations of mammograms to detect cancerous tumors, while another bill would require health plans to cover a certain autism therapy. Sacramento Bee.
L.A. School District Renews MetLife Dental Benefits Plan
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Unified School District’s board authorized a one-year, $60 million contract renewal with MetLife, the district’s dental insurance provider. Nearly 100,000 current and former L.A. Unified employees receive their dental benefits through MetLife. Two weeks ago, the school board rejected a three-year, multimillion dollar contract proposal from MetLife after a board member complained about the company’s charges and services. The new contract requires MetLife to conduct annual satisfaction surveys and provide quarterly updates to district officials. Los Angeles Times.