Latest California Healthline Stories
Congress Returns From Recess To Weigh Medicaid, Other Issues
As members of Congress return to session today after the Fourth of July recess, they face several health-related tasks. Congress will take up measures related to Medicaid funding for states and child nutrition. CongressDaily, New York Times‘ “The Caucus.”
Sacramento County AFSCME Workers Find Contract Accord
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 146, which represents about 550 Sacramento County health workers, has voted to approve a contract that would defer a scheduled pay raise for two years in exchange for up to 30 hours of paid time off across each 12-month period. The contract — which the board of supervisors is slated to discuss on Tuesday — would save about $1.85 million in the current fiscal year, as well as the next, and would last until June 30, 2012. Sacramento Bee.
Medical Board Website Allows Californians To Check Doctor Discipline
The Medical Board of California’s database of physician disciplinary records has been called one of the best in the country. The website lists information on doctors who have been accused of wrongdoing, involved in malpractice cases or convicted of felonies. Sacramento Bee.
Opinion: Act Needed To Boost Work on Cancer, Tobacco
The California Cancer Research Act, which supporters are attempting to qualify for the 2012 ballot, would spend $500 million to find ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer, as well as raise the cigarette tax by $1 per pack to fund tobacco education efforts, Don Perata (D), former Senate President Pro Tempore and current Oakland mayoral candidate, writes in a San Jose Mercury News opinion piece. Perata urges state residents to support the initiative and “strike a serious blow to cancer and set an example for the rest of the nation.” San Jose Mercury News.
Study: Patients Who E-mail Doctors Have Better Health
A new study of Kaiser Permanente patients finds that individuals who e-mail their physicians experience better outcomes in chronic disease management than people who do not e-mail their doctors. About 85% of the e-mails reviewed in the Health Affairs study were initiated by patients. Researchers suggested that e-mailing may help strengthen the physician-patient relationship. Sacramento Bee et al.
U.S. Rep. Eshoo Stumps for Social Services Referral Bill
U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) is pushing lawmakers to vote on a bill designed to create a nationwide, phone-based referral system to connect residents with mental health treatment, substance abuse counseling and other social services. The bill would authorize $100 million in annual grants for the program through 2014. In 2008, the San Francisco Bay Area launched a local version of the program, which residents can access by dialing 211. San Mateo County Times.
Editorial: End Medi-Cal Pay for Doctors’ Medical Errors
A San Francisco Chronicle editorial urges the Senate to pass AB 542, which would prohibit Medi-Cal payments for care that results in serious medical errors. Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program. According to the editorial, the bill would help discourage medical errors, reduce Medi-Cal spending and help the state comply with the new federal health reform law. San Francisco Chronicle.
Governor Calls for Pension Cuts as Key Element of Budget Plan
Yesterday, Gov. Schwarzenegger said he would not sign off on a budget unless it includes a reduction in pension benefits for state workers. The governor said California’s pension liabilities have forced lawmakers to cut social services. Sacramento Bee et al.
Sebelius Says Insurers Can Help Residents Get Coverage During ‘Gap’
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is calling on health insurance companies to assist U.S. residents in securing health coverage before the reform law fully takes effect. The move marks a reversal from the Obama administration’s recent criticism of insurers. Reuters.
Group Drops Lawsuit Against ValleyCare Health System
The Berkeley-based Patient-Physician Alliance has dropped its lawsuit challenging the validity of ValleyCare Health System. The suit alleged that the health system did not have the required number of physicians; focused on controlling costs, not on patient care; and was creating a monopoly for care in the Tri-Valley. A spokesperson for the alliance called the situation “complicated” and said the issues raised in the suit “have not disappeared.” Contra Costa Times.