Latest California Healthline Stories
HHS Disburses $750M for Disease Prevention Research and Programs
On Wednesday, HHS announced that it is providing $750 million in federal health reform law money for disease prevention efforts. The funding will be put toward infrastructure development, community programs and data collection. HealthLeaders Media, Modern Healthcare.
UC-San Francisco Unveils Stem Cell Research Center
On Wednesday, UC-San Francisco opened its $123 million, 80,000 square-foot Ray and Dagmar Dolby Regeneration Medicine Building, which houses 25 stem cell research laboratories. University officials said the facility was funded entirely by state and private money, which means it can operate independently of federal restrictions on stem cell research. San Francisco Business Times et al.
Universal Access to Care Does Not Fully Eliminate Disparities, Study Finds
A new Health Affairs study finds that universal access to medical care does not completely do away with health disparities between socioeconomic classes. Researchers say the results indicate possible shortfalls in preventive health care services. MedPage Today.
Brown Meets With Sebelius To Seek Waivers for Budget Plan
Yesterday, Gov. Brown asked HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius about federal waivers for his proposals to cut Medi-Cal spending and shift control of some state programs to local agencies. Sacramento Bee‘s “Capitol Alert,” Los Angeles Times‘ “PolitiCal.”
Poll Finds Caregivers Are Less Healthy Than Non-Caregivers
Results from the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index show that U.S. adults who work full time and care for a disabled or elderly family member have a physical health index score of 77.4, compared with a score of 83 among non-caregivers. According to the survey, the physical effects of caregiving appear most significantly in individuals ages 18 to 29. United Press International.
Health Worker Licensing Boards Aim To Tighten Disciplinary Processes
Boards that license California chiropractors, nurses and physicians are developing regulations that would increase their authority to discipline health workers accused of wrongdoing. The draft regulations are similar to a bill that failed in committee last year. California Watch.
Reform Law Implementation Strategies Vary Among States
States are taking different routes in rolling out provisions of the federal health reform law, which was enacted almost one year ago. Diana Dooley — California’s secretary of health and human services — said California is ahead of other states in implementing the reform law because it has created the California Health Benefit Exchange and because former Gov. Schwarzenegger was “very personally committed” to improving health care. McClatchy/Miami Herald.
HHS Mulls Changes to Long-Term Care Insurance Plan
HHS is considering changes to a long-term care insurance program created under the federal health reform law’s Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act, or CLASS Act. The possible changes include indexing premiums, adjusting eligibility requirements and tailoring benefits to beneficiaries’ needs. Wall Street Journal, The Hill‘s “Healthwatch.”
Plum Healthcare Acquires Horizon Nursing Home Chain
Nursing home chain Plum Healthcare Group will acquire Horizon West Healthcare, which owns 27 nursing homes, for an undisclosed sum. Mark Ballif, co-CEO at Plum, said the California Department of Public Health must sign off on the acquisition. Sacramento Bee.
FTC: Accountable Care Organizations May Run Afoul of Antitrust Laws
The health reform law encourages the formation of accountable care organizations, but ACOs could clash with federal antitrust laws, according a Federal Trade Commission member. FTC and the Department of Justice are determining how to monitor ACO operations. New York Times.