Latest California Healthline Stories
HHS Launches 10-Year Plan To Improve Public Health
Last week, HHS officials announced the Healthy People 2020 goals, which encourage efforts to improve community health and prevent disease. The 10-year health goals aim to reduce obesity and diabetes rates, and lower the number of deaths caused by cancer, heart disease and stroke. AP/Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Calif. Nurses Association Calls for Stronger Health Worker Safety Measures
The California Nurses Association-National Nurses United is advocating for increased security measures at hospitals and correctional facilities. The push for stronger protections stems in part from recent reports of violence against medical workers. Vallejo Times Herald.
House Passes Child Nutrition Bill; Obama Expected To Sign
On Thursday, the House voted 264-157 to pass the Senate-approved child nutrition reauthorization bill, sending the legislation to President Obama, who is expected to sign it into law. The new legislation — known as the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 — also includes several food safety components. New York Times et al.
Concerns Mount Regarding Aging of Physician Population
Between 27,000 and 28,000 of California’s roughly 90,000 physicians are older than age 60, marking the highest percentage of doctors approaching retirement age in the U.S., according to Atul Grover, chief advocacy officer at the Association of American Medical Colleges. In Shasta County, more than 60% of physicians are older than 50. Members of the medical community are concerned that there will not be an adequate number of physicians to treat an aging baby boomer population or care for an expected influx of insured patients under the health reform law. Redding Record Searchlight.
Connecticut Insurance Dept. Rejects Anthem’s Proposed Rate Increase
Connecticut insurance regulators have rejected a proposed 20% premium increase for individual market plans from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Officials say the action is an example of greater insurer oversight under the health reform law. Hartford Courant, CQ HealthBeat.
GOP Considering Using Funding From Overhaul on Medicare Payment Fix
If Democrats are unable to pass a long-term fix to the Medicare physician payment formula before the end of the current legislative session, Republicans might target funding allocated for certain provisions of the health reform law to finance a “doc fix” measure. Politico.
Governor’s Special Session on Budget Deficit Kicks Off Today
Gov. Schwarzenegger is opening a special legislative session on the state’s $6.1 billion shortfall on the day that new legislators will be sworn in to office. A spokesperson for the governor said Schwarzenegger likely will propose “ugly cuts.” Oakland Tribune et al.
Gov. Schwarzenegger Taps Bob Klein To Stay CIRM Head
Last week, Gov. Schwarzenegger renominated Bob Klein to continue as chair of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine after Klein’s favored successor, Alan Bernstein, removed his name from consideration. Klein has been chair of CIRM for the past six years. Los Angeles Times.
California Health Care Personnel News Update for November 2010
Three top executives at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center recently resigned for what the hospital’s parent company Sutter Health called “personal reasons.” Meanwhile, the board of Stanford Hospital & Clinics has named Amir Dan Rubin president and CEO effective Jan. 3.
Sutter Ceases Mental Health Youth Counseling Program
Sutter Health has announced that it will terminate its outpatient mental health youth counseling program in Sacramento County on Jan. 14. The Sutter Counseling Center began operations in 1965 and has served primarily families on Medi-Cal. The closing will affect about 230 patients and about 15 staff members. Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento Bee.