Latest California Healthline Stories
Doctors Union Against Having UC Manage Prison Health
Members of the Union of American Physicians and Dentists, which represents more than 800 California prison employees, spoke out during a meeting of the University of California regents against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s (R) plan to have medical school staff manage prison health care. Union members said that UC staff would encounter violent patients and that the plan would cost more than expected. Regent Sherry Lansing said UC would not agree to the plan unless it would provide a guaranteed revenue stream, adding that the plan needs to be studied. Los Angeles Times.
Poll: Californians Favor Cuts, Taxes To Balance Budget
Forty-two percent of likely California voters support a mix of taxes and spending cuts to balance the state’s budget, while 41% support only spending reductions and 7% support raising taxes, according to a new survey from the Public Policy Institute of California. The survey also found that 13% of likely voters said health and human services is the program area they most want protected; the highest response was for primary and secondary education. Forty-nine percent of respondents said they favor higher taxes to support health and human services programs. HealthyCal.
California Mammogram Program Cuts Affecting More Than Anticipated
Since California suspended enrollment and raised the eligibility age for its Every Women Counts mammogram program, screenings have declined to fewer than 10,000 patients monthly. The cuts aimed to reduce screenings to 21,600 patients monthly. AP/Ventura County Star.
State Nursing Board Opposes Anti-Seizure Drug Bill
The state Board of Registered Nursing yesterday voted 7-1 to oppose a bill (SB 1051), by Sen. Bob Huff, that would authorize school employees to administer an anti-seizure drug to students in an emergency. Nurses unions oppose the bill, saying that only licensed medical personnel should treat such students, though supporters of the bill say that quick administration of the drug to convulsing students could prevent brain injury or even death. The bill has passed the Senate education and health committees and will be considered by the appropriations committee Monday. Orange County Register.
CDC Report: Most ED Visitors Have Insurance, Need Emergency Care
A data brief from CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics challenges a common assumption that the majority of emergency department patients are uninsured individuals seeking routine care. The report found that most visitors have insurance and need urgent care. Reuters et al.
Anthem Teams Up With Physician Group on Pilot Accountable Care Model
A newly launched collaboration between Anthem Blue Cross and HealthCare Partners highlights a continuing trend in California to move away from the traditional “fee-for-service” model toward a more integrated health care delivery system. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
Same Groups Get Ventura County Tobacco Funds
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors distributed nearly all the county’s $8.2 million allotment from the national tobacco settlement this year to the same groups that received funding last year. Groups receiving funding provide care for the uninsured and other underserved populations. County CFO Paul Derse said there were not enough members on an advisory committee to hold meetings or make recommendations on funding allocations, and instead county staff determined that groups that had received funding in 2009 would also receive funding for this year. Ventura County Star.
Monterey County Hospitals Roll Out Cardiac Care Project
This week, Monterey County’s four hospitals introduced a new system designed to deliver care to critically ill cardiac patients as soon as possible. As part of the initiative, emergency dispatchers underwent training and county ambulances were equipped with new portable electrocardiogram devices. The four hospitals participating in the project are Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Mee Memorial Hospital, Natividad Medical Center and Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital. Salinas Californian.
Online Service Aims To Help Patients Find Discounted Care
A new Burbank-based online service called HealthyPrice is hoping to help uninsured patients connect with care providers offering discounted medical services. HealthyPrice currently is working with 100 Los Angeles-area physicians and lists prices for 400 services, including diagnostic tests and surgical procedures. Patients using the service agree to the price online and then pay doctors in advance with a check or through Paypal. Payers & Providers.
FDA Urged To Increase Transparency of Drug, Product Review Process
Yesterday, FDA’s Transparency Task Force released a report recommending 21 strategies the agency could use to publicly disseminate more information about drug evaluations, food manufacturing inspections and products’ safety and efficacy. Reuters, AP/Philadelphia Inquirer.