Latest California Healthline Stories
San Diego State, Orthodontists To Promote Healthy Lifestyles
San Diego State University and local orthodontists are teaming up for a new program in which orthodontists will provide teenage and preteen patients with three minutes of guidance on healthy eating, physical activity and tobacco avoidance during their orthodontic care. The program, called Healthy Smiles, is being funded by NIH and the National Cancer Institute. San Diego Union-Tribune.
CMS To Halt Payments to Surgery Center This Month
Starting on Dec. 15, CMS plans to terminate Medicare and Medi-Cal reimbursements for St. Joseph’s Surgery Center in Stockton because of patient safety violations identified during two inspections last summer. Officials at St. Joseph’s said they believe the facility is in compliance with CMS requirements and they do not expect any disruption in services. Stockton Record.
Columnist: State Waiting on Supreme Court Decision
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, who “has a unique knowledge of the state’s complex political and cultural climate,” likely will be “the swing vote” in the Supreme Court case over whether California must reduce its prison population to ease overcrowding and improve inmate health care, according to Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Walters. He argues that while both Gov. Schwarzenegger and Gov.-elect Jerry Brown oppose the order to cut the state’s inmate population, a Supreme Court decision that upholds the reduction order “could be a political escape hatch.” Sacramento Bee.
UnitedHealth Group Expects Higher Enrollment Next Year
This week, UnitedHealth Group announced that it expects enrollment in all of its offerings to increase by 2.5% in 2011. The insurer said it anticipates an increase in memberships across its Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid plans and commercial plans that serve employers and individuals. Reuters.
Congress Faces Deadline on Embryonic Stem Cell Research Funding Policy
Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research will revert to policies established by former President Bush unless lawmakers pass legislation to allow the funding. Congress has until the end of year to clarify a 1996 law that prohibits federal funds for such research. The Hill.
Report: Inconsistency Exists Among States’ Insurance Rate Reviews
A study from the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that states are inconsistent in enforcing a provision in the health reform law that allows them to evaluate health insurance premium rate increases. The study says many states do not have adequate staff to review rates. Reuters.
MedPAC Proposal Calls for 1% Increase in 2012 Hospital Payment Rates
Under a proposal from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, hospitals would receive a 1% increase in inpatient and outpatient payment rates for fiscal year 2012. Members are scheduled to finalize recommendations in January. CQ HealthBeat, AHA News.
Alameda County Adjusts Policy for Stroke Patients
Alameda County emergency service officials recently changed a county protocol that allowed ambulance drivers to take emergency stroke patients to Alameda Hospital instead of a certified stroke center. The change comes in response to concerns raised at a City Council meeting last month about the exemption. Alameda Hospital CEO Deborah Stebbins said she was disappointed by the officials’ decision but said the hospital is working to obtain stroke certification. Oakland Tribune.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of December 3, 2010
The California Department of Health Care Services has given approval for Adventist Medical Center-Hanford to open next week. Meanwhile, Palo Alto Medical Foundation recently announced plans to lay off 50 employees on Dec. 15 and three additional employees on Jan. 3.
Gov.-Elect Brown Calls Special Meeting To Discuss State Budget
Gov.-elect Jerry Brown has called a meeting for state lawmakers to discuss California’s budget deficit. The forum will take place two days after the special budget session called by outgoing Gov. Schwarzenegger begins. AP/Ventura County Star et al.