Latest California Healthline Stories
Assembly Panel Shelves Soda Tax Bill Designed To Help Curb Obesity
The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation has placed AB 669 in a suspense file. The legislation, by Assembly member Bill Monning, would have imposed a tax of one penny per fluid ounce on sugary beverages to raise funds for obesity prevention programs. Fresno Bee et al.
Tuberculosis Still a Pressing Issue in Santa Clara County
Although tuberculosis rates have decreased in most areas of the U.S., Santa Clara County’s TB rate has remained relatively steady for the past three years. Officials say the county might have an unusually high TB rate because it has a large international population. In 2010, foreign-born individuals accounted for more than one-third of Santa Clara County’s population and about 90% of its active TB cases, according to county statistics. San Jose Mercury News.
Hospital, Police Officials at Odds Over Medical Bills for Injured Suspects
Hospitals say police officers sometimes refrain from arresting an injured suspect so their agency will not be on the hook for the suspect’s medical bills. Meanwhile, police departments say California law does not obligate them to pay hospital bills. AP/San Jose Mercury News.
Poll: Most Calif. Voters Support Tax Measures To Close State Deficit
A Los Angeles Times/University of Southern California poll finds that 60% of California voters support Gov. Brown’s plan to put a tax measure before voters and 52% support the governor’s plan to close the state deficit with a mix of taxes and spending cuts. Los Angeles Times et al.
Northern California Counties Work To Improve Rural Care
Health care officials in Del Norte and Humboldt counties are working to improve rural medical services as part of the state’s County Medical Services Program. The program is made up of a 34-county consortium that has applied to participate in California’s “Bridge to Health Reform” Medi-Cal waiver, which offers federal matching funds for public health expansion efforts statewide. Eureka Times-Standard.
Brown Signs Bills That Could Extend Hospitals’ Seismic Safety Deadlines
Gov. Brown has signed two bills that could allow hospitals to file for extensions of seismic safety deadlines. However, officials say the extensions only will become possible if lawmakers further extend a hospital fee aimed at drawing down federal funds. California Watch.
Officials Rush To Spread Word on Pertussis Vaccine Mandate
School and public health officials are ramping up efforts to educate the public about a new state law that requires students from seventh through 12th grade to receive the pertussis, or whooping cough, vaccination before school begins this fall. Students who receive the vaccine but do not have the proper paperwork filed with schools could be barred from entering classrooms. According to Robert Schechter — a medical officer in the immunization branch at the California Department of Public Health — about three million California children are affected by the law. San Jose Mercury News.
Sharing Leadership Key to Doctor Participation in ACOs
Hospitals might have to relinquish some control to physicians to convince them to join accountable care organizations or other integrated care models under health reform, according to a study released last week by PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Health Research Institute. According to the study, between 93% and 97% of physicians surveyed said that physicians should serve as hospital executives, on boards of directors or in other leadership positions if they began working with hospitals. The study also found that nursing and support staff are happier and more productive when working under coordinated care models. Fierce Healthcare.
Many Part-Time Officials Getting Publicly Funded Health Benefits
Data obtained by the Bay Area News Group show that hundreds of California’s part-time elected officials are receiving no-cost, taxpayer-funded health benefits. Some workers with multiple positions are receiving two health policies. San Jose Mercury News.
GOP Lawmakers Forced To Defend Support for Medicare Overhaul Plan
Because of growing criticism over provisions in the House-passed fiscal year 2012 budget bill that would restructure Medicare, Republican lawmakers are seeking to reassure elderly beneficiaries that their care would remain intact. Reuters, National Journal‘s “Hotline on Call.”