Latest California Healthline Stories
UC-Davis Researchers Nab $3M Autism Treatment Grant
Three researchers at UC-Davis have secured a $3 million grant through the Department of Defense to study new a treatment for children with Fragile X Syndrome, which is linked to autism. About 33% of children with Fragile X develop autism. Sacramento Business Journal.
Enrollment in High-Risk Pools Continues To Lag, New HHS Figures Show
In April of last year, federal officials estimated that about 375,000 U.S. residents would enroll in the high-risk health insurance pools mandated by the federal health reform law. However, at the start of February, only about 12,500 individuals had signed up for the pools. Modern Healthcare et al.
Opinion: California Needs More Medical Interpreters
It is “questionable” whether California health care providers and insurers are in full compliance with a state law requiring them to ensure that translation services are available to patients who are not proficient in English, Nora Goodfriend-Koven — instructor at City College of San Francisco and board member of the California Healthcare Interpreting Association — writes in a San Francisco Chronicle opinion piece. Goodfriend-Koven adds that health care organizations and community colleges should prioritize efforts to train more health care interpreters. San Francisco Chronicle.
Report: Calif. Hospitals To Face Shortage of Allied Health Workers
The California Hospital Association recently released a report finding that the state could need more than one million new allied health care professionals by 2030. The report notes that upcoming retirements likely will contribute to the uptick in demand. Modern Healthcare et al.
Health Enrollment Platform Now Available in Spanish
The Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board recently announced that it has launched a Spanish version of the Health-e-App system, which allows families to apply online for coverage in public health insurance programs such as Healthy Families. The California HealthCare Foundation and the California Endowment helped fund the development of Health-e-App in 2001. Eureka Times-Standard.
Many Californians Say Changes Needed in State’s Health System
Nearly 60% of respondents to a Public Policy Institute of California poll say the state’s health care system needs major changes. More than half of respondents say they are very concerned about state cuts to health services. Los Angeles Times‘ “L.A. Now” et al.
States Could Cut Health Programs To Deal With Loss of Federal Funding
Many states are looking to pare back health programs because of budget shortfalls and an impending cessation of federal stimulus funding. California lawmakers are considering limiting Medi-Cal beneficiaries to 10 doctor visits annually. Kaiser Health News/USA Today.
O.C. Officials Bar CalOptima From Selling Private Policies
On Tuesday, Orange County supervisors voted to prevent the county’s public health plan — known as CalOptima — from selling private health insurance policies. Supervisors also instructed staff to examine whether the county could opt out of participating in the statewide health insurance exchange. Voice of OC.
Analysis Finds Individual Mandate Alternatives Less Than Promising
Two proposals to replace the individual mandate in the federal health reform law would extend coverage to fewer individuals and do little to control costs, according to a review conducted by the Center for American Progress. MedPage Today, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
State Mental Health Program Emphasizes Early Treatment
California’s Prevention and Recovery in Early Psychosis program, which is administered by the not-for-profit Family Services Agency of San Francisco, aims to identify individuals who may have mental health issues before major symptoms develop. The PREP program is funded primarily by Proposition 63, which levied an additional 1% tax on incomes of $1 million or more to provide money for mental health programs. Gov. Brown has proposed shifting control of Prop. 63 funds from the state to the counties. PBS’ “NewsHour.”