Latest California Healthline Stories
Questions Raised About Oversight of Concierge-Style Health Providers
The California Department of Managed Health Care is reviewing whether a concierge-style primary care practice should need to obtain the same license as managed care plans. The state currently has no guidelines on overseeing such services. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
Two California Hospitals Make HealthGrades List of Top 50
Glendale Memorial Hospital and Santa Monica-based Saint John’s Health Center were ranked in HealthGrades’ list of top 50 U.S. hospitals for 2011. Hospitals were ranked based on outcomes for 26 care categories. Hospitals on the list had risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates that were in the top 5% nationwide. Payers & Providers.
Editorial: State Must Reflect on Toll of Childhood Obesity
“The immediate and long-term costs of childhood obesity, for individual kids and for society, deserve more attention from families, nonprofits and yes, even the government,” a Sacramento Bee editorial states. The editorial describes state and local efforts to curb childhood obesity, including a proposed statewide tax on soda. It concludes, “A soda tax may not end up making the most sense, but it ought to be part of the conversation.” Sacramento Bee.
Legislation Aims To End Public Workers’ Bargaining Power
Assembly member Allan Mansoor has unveiled a bill that would strip California’s public workers of their ability to collectively bargain for pension benefits. The measure is similar to a plan proposed by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. AP/Contra Costa Times et al.
Judge Rules in Favor of Individual Mandate in Health Reform Law
On Tuesday, a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the health reform law and its individual mandate. The judge suggested that failing to purchase insurance would force other consumers to cover the cost of uncompensated care. Wall Street Journal et al.
Upstart Union for Calif. Health Workers Files Lawsuit Against SEIU
The National Union of Healthcare Workers has filed a lawsuit claiming that the Service Employees International Union used improper tactics against its opponents. SEIU dismissed the allegations as a publicity stunt. Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle.
Palomar Pomerado Health Develops Mobile Health App
Officials at Palomar Pomerado Health have unveiled a prototype of a mobile device application that can send patients’ health care data to physicians in real time and in any location. The Medical Information Anytime Anywhere system would transmit medical records to a tablet computer or smart phone. San Diego Union-Tribune et al.
Tobacco Company Donating Funds for Cigarette Tax Battle
Philip Morris USA has donated approximately $128,115 to fight a ballot measure that would raise the cigarette tax by $1 per pack to fund cancer research and prevention initiatives. The measure is slated for the February 2012 ballot, but it could appear in June as part of a proposed special election. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert.”
Study: Liver Cancer Rates High for U.S.-Born Hispanics
Hispanic males who live in California and were born in the U.S. have liver cancer rates more than twice as high as those born outside the U.S., while liver cancer rates for U.S.-born Asians living in the state are less than half the rates of those born outside the U.S., according to a study from the Cancer Prevention Institute of California. Researchers say that behavior, environment and lifestyle could play a larger role than genetics in liver cancer risk. California Watch.
HHS Staff To Help States Reduce Medicaid Costs, Retain Coverage Levels
HHS plans to deploy agency personnel to help states curb Medicaid spending without dropping coverage. HHS also intends to help states prepare for the Medicaid expansion under the federal health reform law. Kaiser Health News/Washington Post, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”