Latest California Healthline Stories
Budget Talks Remain at Impasse; Senate Dems Unveil FY 2012 Package
Yesterday, President Obama and congressional leaders failed to reach a deal on budget and debt-reduction plans. Meanwhile, Senate Budget Committee Chair Kent Conrad unveiled details of Senate Democrats’ fiscal year 2012 budget blueprint. Washington Post et al.
Study: Increased Access to Grocery Stores Not Linked to Healthy Diets
A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine finds that better access to supermarkets does not lead consumers to make healthier dietary choices. In California, about one million people live in “food deserts,” or areas with little access to healthy food. California Watch et al.
Despite Scrutiny, Prime Healthcare Seeking To Buy Bankrupt Hospital
The Prime Healthcare Services Foundation is seeking approval in bankruptcy court to purchase the not-for-profit Victor Valley Community Hospital. Prime Healthcare Services has faced recent investigations over its billing practices for sepsis and malnutrition. California Watch.
HHS Announces Plans To Help Reduce Care Costs for Dual Eligibles
On Friday, HHS unveiled new payment models designed to help states cut costs for beneficiaries eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. The programs also are aimed at boosting collaboration between state and federal officials on dual eligibles’ care. National Journal, HealthLeaders Media.
Appeals Court Upholds Furloughs Instituted by Gov. Schwarzenegger
For the second time this year, an appeals court upheld furloughs that former Gov. Schwarzenegger imposed on state workers who are not paid out of the general fund. The case was filed by the Service Employees International Union-Local 1000. Sacramento Bee‘s “The State Worker.”
Disney Institute Launches New Health Care Initiative
The Disney Institute — a management consulting organization — recently announced the launch of a new professional development program targeting the health care industry. The program aims to help hospitals improve patient satisfaction and overall happiness. Stacey Thomson, spokesperson for the institute, said that if patients “don’t feel comfortable and happy, and if they don’t feel the staff and doctors listen to them, it can negatively impact the way they recover.” Orlando Business Journal.
Private Insurance Rolls Drop, but More Children Enroll in Medicaid, CHIP
A CDC report finds that the number of Americans covered by private insurance declined between 2009 and 2010. The report also finds that children’s enrollment increased in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program from 2009 to 2010. American Medical News.
New State Law Tightens Rules on In-Home Care Providers
On Friday, Gov. Brown signed into law a bill to ban in-home caregivers who have criminal records from signing waivers on behalf of recipients unless the client is a parent, guardian, spouse or conservator. Previously, disabled and elderly individuals were permitted to sign waivers accepting felons as home aides, and aides also were allowed to sign waivers on behalf of the client. Los Angeles Times.
Agency Faces Deadline To Spend Federal Stimulus Funds
The California Emergency Management Agency could risk losing unspent funding from the 2009 economic stimulus package in 2013 unless it closely monitors how it uses the money, according to a state auditor report issued last week. In a separate report from 2010, the state auditor said that the agency did not have an adequate system in place to monitor the use of funding and that the agency was spending its funding too slowly. Some of the $136 million in stimulus funding is allocated toward drug misuse prevention and enforcing methamphetamine regulations. California Watch/San Diego Union-Tribune.
Calif. Research Backs Use of Telehealth in Neonatal ICUs
The use of remote robotic telemedicine technology in neonatal intensive care units is a safe and feasible way to provide care in hospitals with a limited work force, according to a study conducted by researchers at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. For the study, which was published in the Journal of Perinatology, researchers compared the findings of an on-site neonatologist at the Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center’s NICU with the findings of a remote neonatologist. The study found excellent or intermediate-to-good agreements between the on-site and remote specialists for nearly all physical exam assessments. InformationWeek.