Latest California Healthline Stories
Survey: One out of Five Californians Report Need for Mental Health Help
UCLA researchers found that one in five Californians said they could use assistance with an emotional or mental health issue. However, only about one in three of those who said they could use help actually visited a professional for treatment. Los Angeles Times‘ “Booster Shots” et al.
Grant Aims To Connect L.A. County Community Clinics
The Western Health Information Network — formerly known as the Long Beach Network for Health — is slated to receive a $153,000 grant from L.A. Care Plan to connect at least 10 Los Angeles County community clinics to its health information network. Clinics that tap into the network will be able to exchange patient data on admissions, demographics, diagnoses, laboratory results, medications, physician notes and treatments. Healthcare IT News.
Bill Would Grant Parole to Incapacitated Inmates
A bill by Sen. Mark Leno would grant parole to 32 of the state’s sickest inmates, with the goal of saving California up to $40 million annually. Some opponents of the measure say that it should be more inclusive because it would affect a small number of the 3,000 extraordinarily ill inmates, while others argue that certain inmates should not have the opportunity for parole. Leno’s bill has passed the Senate, and the Assembly might take it up after the summer recess. KALW’s “Crosscurrents.”
More Hospitals, Doctors Setting Up Accountable Care Organizations
An increasing number of health care providers are forming accountable care organizations to coordinate patient care and curb costs. While many policymakers see promise in ACOs, others say consolidation could increase costs and limit patient choice. Los Angeles Times.
Lawmakers Stump for Role of Insurance Agents in Reform
Last week, a 25-member bipartisan group of lawmakers sent a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius calling for the soon-to-be launched health insurance exchanges and federal health care website to include information on health insurance agents and brokers. The lawmakers wrote that agents and brokers have a role “both inside and outside health insurance exchanges” and could serve as a consumer resource when the government’s Web portal — healthcare.gov — is finalized on Oct. 1. Politico.
State’s Tobacco Tax Revenue Drops as Cigarette Sales Fall
Last year, cigarette sales in California dropped to their lowest level in the past decade. As a result, the state has seen a decline in revenue from tobacco taxes, which help fund early childhood health and education programs. Sacramento Bee et al.
Mass. Sees Shortage of PCPs After State’s Health Overhaul
Massachusetts residents are having a more difficult time finding a primary care physician since the state enacted its universal health care system in 2006, according to recent reports by the state Division of Health Care Finance and Policy. The reports suggest that the problem could stem partially from the high percentage of Massachusetts doctors who are specialists and the large concentration of primary care doctors who practice in specific geographic regions. Boston Globe.
Without Medicaid Funding, States Face Larger Deficits
State budget deficits collectively could grow by an additional $12 billion if Congress fails to pass legislation to extend Medicaid funding, according to a new report from the National Conference of State Legislatures. California, New York, North Carolina and Texas each could see their budget gaps grow by more than $1 billion. Legislation to extend additional Medicaid funding through June 2011 has stalled over concerns on deficit spending, though many states in their yearly budgets planned for the infusion of funds. CNN Money.
California Lawmakers Still Far From Closing in on Budget Agreement
State legislators have yet to reach a deal on how to close the state’s $19.1 billion deficit. Today marks the one-year anniversary of when Gov. Schwarzenegger signed last year’s budget package, which was enacted nearly one month late. Los Angeles Times, Sacramento Bee.
Bill Would Give Salary, Overtime Protections to Home Health Care Staff
Today, U.S. Rep. Linda Sanchez plans to introduce new legislation designed to safeguard wage and overtime protection for workers who care for home-bound elderly and sick individuals. The measure would expand protections under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The Hill.