Latest California Healthline Stories
Study: State Budget Cuts Threatening Emergency Preparedness Programs
A new report finds that state funding cuts enacted during the recession are jeopardizing recent progress in public health emergency preparedness. The report notes that California’s public health funding fell by 8.5% from fiscal year 2008 to FY 2009. The Hill‘s “Healthwatch” et al.
Senate Omnibus Bill Includes Food Safety, Other Health Measures
A draft fiscal year 2011 spending bill recently introduced by a Senate panel contains health-related provisions, including funding for NIH, public health and combating fraud in government programs. The measure also includes food safety legislation. CQ HealthBeat et al.
Bill Seeks To Address Head Injuries for Young Athletes
Legislation, by Assembly member Mary Hayashi and Sen. Tony Strickland, would expand a California Interscholastic Federation bylaw that requires high school athletes to be taken out of a game immediately and be seen by medical personnel if they sustain a concussion. The bill would make the requirement a state law and widen its scope to include junior high and elementary schools, as well as youth groups that use public facilities or grounds. Sacramento Bee.
Chiang Seeks New Process for Selection of CIRM Chair
On Monday, state Controller John Chiang sent a letter to the board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine saying that the current process of selecting a chair for CIRM is “fundamentally flawed” because it is not fully transparent. Chiang wrote that the board should ask the four state officials tasked with nominating the leader for CIRM to withdraw their nominations and “begin the process anew.” CIRM’s board is expected to have a vote Wednesday to select the chair and vice chair positions. San Francisco Business Times.
Fresno State Receives $1.2M Grant for Research on Cancer
Fresno State has received a three-year, $1.2 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to establish the Cancer Biology Program. The program will study pancreatic cancer and the relationship between pesticides and breast cancer in Hispanic farm workers. Fresno Bee.
Obama Administration To Appeal Va. Ruling on Individual Mandate
On Tuesday, the Department of Justice said it will appeal a recent ruling finding that the individual mandate in the health reform law is unconstitutional. DOJ also indicated that it will decline a request to fast-track the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Wall Street Journal et al.
California Officials React to Ruling on Individual Mandate in Reform Law
The recent ruling by a Virginia judge finding the federal health reform law’s individual mandate unconstitutional might not have an immediate impact on California, officials say. Even if the ruling is upheld, officials said the state still could expand coverage. Merced Sun-Star.
Medicare Pilot Reins in Costs by Reducing Readmissions
Preliminary results from a 14-city Medicare pilot program found that the initiative reduced program spending by an estimated $100 million over 18 months. The program seeks to curb hospital readmissions by linking discharged elderly patients with coaches who help them coordinate prescriptions, physician follow-ups and in-home care. Denver Post.
Brown Warns of Deep Spending Cuts in Upcoming Budget Plan
During a forum yesterday, Gov.-elect Jerry Brown said the budget plan he is slated to release next month likely will include major cuts. Brown said he aims to complete work on the budget within 60 days after releasing his plan. Contra Costa Times et al.
Editorials Reflect on Ruling Against Individual Mandate
“It was no great surprise that a federal district judge in Virginia, nominated by President George W. Bush, declared a provision of the health care reform law unconstitutional,” a New York Times editorial states. Meanwhile, a San Francisco Chronicle editorial notes that the U.S. public “still has deep skepticism about the reforms … and this ruling isn’t likely to convince them.” New York Times et al.