Latest California Healthline Stories
State Health Regulators Urge Some Hospitals To Recheck Error Reporting
State records show that 87 California hospitals have not reported any serious medical errors in more than three years. Officials from the state Department of Public Health are calling for the hospitals to recheck their records for potential lapses. Ventura County Star.
CalPERS Adjusts Coverage Policies Under Reform Law
On Wednesday, CalPERS said it will extend health care coverage to almost 28,000 children up to age 26 of public employees and retirees. CalPERS also will remove copayments for certain preventive care, as well as lifetime annual caps on certain treatments. Sacramento Bee.
Ruling Extends Subsidy for Child Care Under CalWORKS
On Wednesday, Alameda County Superior Court Judge Wynne Carvill approved a settlement that will continue subsidized child care services under CalWORKS through Dec. 31. Advocates sued after Gov. Schwarzenegger used line-item vetoes to eliminate funding from CalWORKS, the state’s welfare-to-work program. Some lawmakers say they will work to restore funding for the program when the Legislature reconvenes in December. San Francisco Chronicle, Oakland Tribune.
New Website Aims To Gather Data on EHR Safety Issues
This week, iHealth Alliance launched EHRevent.org, an online service that allows health care providers to report issues associated with electronic health record systems. At a Washington, D.C., event to launch the site, speakers said they expect challenges to arise as health care delivery organizations accelerate their adoption of EHRs. Government Health IT et al.
Report: Calif. Ranks Last in Caring for Children With Special Needs
About 17.1% of California children with special medical needs receive health care services that meet a minimum quality standard, compared with about 40.3% of such children nationwide, according to a new report. “California Watch Blog,” Payers & Providers.
How Health Care Reform Provisions Can Affect Calif.
In its November edition of “Health Dialogues,” KQED’s “The California Report” examines issues related to the rollout of the federal health reform law in California. The edition includes segments on health insurance coverage, the effects of the midterm elections on implementation of health reform provisions, incentives for small businesses to provide coverage, how the reform law affects business, and the Prevention and Public Health Fund. KQED’s “The California Report.”
S.F. Supervisors Give Initial OK to Health Services Master Plan
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has given preliminary approval to an ordinance that would establish a citywide Health Services Master Plan. The plan would guide land-use decisions related to hospital construction. Bay Citizen, San Francisco Chronicle‘s “City Insider.”
Democrats Might Delay Budget Work Until Brown Takes Office
Gov. Schwarzenegger plans to hold a special legislative session on California’s budget deficit next month, but some Democratic legislators say they might delay negotiations until Gov.-elect Jerry Brown takes office in January. Contra Costa Times et al.
Health Groups Seek To Curb Number of Preterm Births
The California Department of Public Health, the March of Dimes and physician groups have begun a statewide education initiative to decrease the number of elective preterm births. Researchers say that as many as one in five infants is born through early elective delivery in California. Sacramento Bee.
Sacramento County Reaches Interim Pact on Mental Health Services
Sacramento County has reached an interim agreement with legal groups to suspend planned changes to mental health services. Current mental health services now are expected to continue at least through June 2011. Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal.