Latest California Healthline Stories
Nursing Walkout on Tap for Thursday; UC Seeks Injunction Against Strike
Nearly 13,000 California nurses and about 12,000 Minnesota nurses are expected to participate in a one-day strike on Thursday. The University of California said it is seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the walkout. San Francisco Chronicle, AP/San Jose Mercury News.
Senate Under Pressure as it Considers Changes to ‘Extenders’ Legislation
The Senate is expected to move slowly on the “extenders” bill because Democrats in the chamber will evaluate several late changes to the legislation made by the House. House Democrats won passage of the bill partly by stripping Medicaid funding for states. CQ Today et al.
Stanford Nabs Grant To Set Up Cancer Research Center
Stanford University School of Medicine has announced plans to establish a Center for Cancer Systems Biology using a five-year, $12.8 million grant from the National Cancer Institute. Stanford’s award is among 12 NCI grants aimed at encouraging cancer research that leverages computational modeling and integrative systems approaches. San Francisco Business Times, San Jose Mercury News.
Medication Errors Peak in July With Arrival of Residents, Study Finds
A new study by UC-San Diego researchers finds that fatal medication errors tend to increase by 10% in July in counties with several teaching hospitals. The increase coincides with the month when many hospitals see an influx of new medical residents. ABC News et al.
Editorial: Sacramento Should Scrap Mental Health Cuts
Sacramento County officials’ plan to “wring about $9 million in savings from the Department of Behavioral Health Services should be a non-starter,” particularly after the chief counsel for the state Department of Mental Health warned that the plan is illegal and could harm people with mental illnesses, a Sacramento Bee editorial says. The plan would end the county’s ties with four not-for-profit groups caring for people with severe mental illnesses and instead expand an adult day care program and create four new wellness centers staffed with county employees. The editorial says that if the plan is not overhauled by June 15, when the Board of Supervisors is set to consider recommendations, “supervisors should send officials back to the drawing board.” Sacramento Bee.
National HIV/AIDS Strategy Expected in Next Few Weeks
Policymakers, leaders from community and religious groups, and others met Wednesday for a White House summit to discuss how HIV affects black men. The White House is expected to release its National HIV/AIDS Strategy, a plan to reduce HIV/AIDS incidence and improve treatment, in a few weeks. San Francisco Chronicle.
States Aim To Restore Medicaid Assistance to ‘Extenders’ Bill
The National Association of State Budget Officers and the National Governors Association plan to lobby senators to restore the $23 billion in Medicaid assistance to states that House Democratic leaders cut from the so-called “extenders” bill last Friday. CQ Today, CongressDaily.
San Francisco Rolls Out Hepatitis B Prevention Plan
San Francisco public health officials have kicked off an aggressive campaign to address a high prevalence of hepatitis B among the city’s Asian residents, offering no-cost testing, vaccination and treatment for all residents. U.S. physicians typically only test for hepatitis B among patients who engage in risky behaviors; however, many Asian immigrants are infected at birth and those who are infected often do not experience symptoms. Medication can help suppress the virus, which if left untreated can lead to liver cancer. NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
L.A. County Sees Gains From Mental Health Care Initiative
Nearly six years after California voters approved Proposition 63, Los Angeles County has seen a sharp decline in hospitalizations, incarcerations and homeless rates among people with mental illnesses, according to county data. Proposition 63 levied a 1% tax on individuals with annual incomes higher than $1 million to raise funds for mental health initiatives. Officials said the extra funds have allowed Los Angeles County to contract with more private health care providers and mental health caseworkers. Payers & Providers.
Study: Many Consumers Remain Skeptical About Evidence-Based Care
Consumers often have misconceptions about terms such as “quality guidelines” and “medical evidence,” according to a new study. Many consumers also believe that more and newer treatments represent superior medical care. Wall Street Journal‘s “Health Blog” et al.