Latest California Healthline Stories
Study: Early HIV Treatment Reduces Transmission Risks
HIV-positive people are significantly less likely to transmit HIV if they begin antiretroviral treatment immediately instead of waiting for their immune systems to start deteriorating, according to a new study funded by NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The study supports a recommendation made last year by San Francisco public health officials, who called for all people diagnosed with HIV to begin treatment right away. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
80% of Internet Users Search for Health Information Online
About 80% U.S. Internet users have searched for health information online, according to a survey from the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project and the California HealthCare Foundation. The report also found that about one in three U.S. adults said the Internet helped influence their health care decisions or the decisions of someone they know. AFP/Google et al.
GOP Senators Continue To Insist on Entitlement Reform in Budget Talks
In separate meetings with President Obama and Vice President Biden on Thursday, Republicans reiterated their desire to make cuts to the Medicare and Medicaid programs as part of ongoing discussions on ways to address the federal budget deficit. The Hill et al.
Assembly GOP Releases Budget Plan With Deeper Health Cuts
Yesterday, Assembly Republicans unveiled a state budget plan that would cut $1.3 billion from various programs, including adult day health care centers and certain in-home support services. The GOP plan does not include tax increases. Sacramento Bee et al.
Santa Cruz County Seeks To Grow Indigent Care Program
Santa Cruz County is seeking federal and state approval to expand its indigent health care program in advance of the federal health reform law’s Medicaid expansion, which is set to roll out in 2014. The planned expansion of Medi-Cruz — Santa Cruz County’s indigent care program — would extend coverage to an additional 1,000 low-income residents. Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Editorial Blasts Legislation To Empower Insurance Oversight
“State legislators are considering yet another unnecessary, counterproductive law to regulate the health care industry,” an Orange County Register editorial states. AB 52 would allow health insurance regulators “to roll back premiums, order refunds and impose penalties based on government bureaucrats’ determination,” according to the editorial. “Imposing artificial, arbitrary limits on how much an insurance company can charge won’t affect” the costs of “treatment, tests, hospitalization and drugs,” the editorial argues, concluding, “Rather than more government involvement, lawmakers should remove impediments to lower costs” and allow consumers “to buy insurance across state lines.” Orange County Register.
Romney Tries To Set Mass. Law Apart From Federal Health Reform
During a speech on Thursday, presumptive GOP presidential candidate and former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney tried to differentiate a state health care law he signed from the federal health reform law. The federal law is widely viewed as based on the state law. Washington Post et al.
State’s Aging Population Could Mean More Strain for Health Care Services
Newly released census data show that the median age of California residents has increased over the past decade. The trend suggests that demand for eldercare services could increase at a time when the state is cutting back on such programs. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Calif. Telehealth Network To Link Rural Health Care Sites
By the end of 2011, California Telehealth Network’s rural health care pilot program is expected to connect about 300 rural sites through a secure, high-speed network, according to participants at this week’s Government Technology Conference West. The telehealth network is receiving funding from various sources, including the Federal Communications Commission and the California HealthCare Foundation. Government Technology.
State Gives Nod to Ventura County’s Medi-Cal Revamp
On Thursday, the California Department of Health Care Services gave approval to Ventura County’s plan to transform its Medi-Cal program into a managed care system. Under the new system — called Gold Coast Health Plan — patients will choose or be assigned a primary care physician who will coordinate their care. Gold Coast Health Plan CEO Earl Greenia said the program will be funded with about $300 million annually in federal and state money. Ventura County Star.