Latest California Healthline Stories
Five More States Join Lawsuit Against Health Reform Law
This week, Arizona, Indiana, Mississippi, Nevada and North Dakota announced that they will join 13 other states in a lawsuit challenging the new national health reform law. In the suit, the state attorneys general argue that the health reform law violates the U.S. Constitution by requiring all residents to have health care coverage. HealthLeaders Media.
California’s Birth Rate Dipped 2.8% From 2007 to 2008
The number of infants born in California decreased from 566,000 in 2007 to 551,000 in 2008, coinciding with a decrease in the average per capita income, according to data from the Pew Research Center. During the same time period, per capita income declined from $44,880 to $43,641. Los Angeles Times.
Recent Quakes Put Spotlight on Hospital Seismic Safety
A recent earthquake south of the border between California and Mexico has renewed interest in hospital compliance with state seismic safety laws. A report issued last month by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development estimates that as many as 65 hospitals might not meet the deadlines for seismic safety compliance. HealthLeaders Media.
Kaiser Awards Aim To Boost Access to Care in Sacramento
Kaiser Permanente has awarded two Sacramento-area groups — The Effort and the Sacramento Native American Health Center’s Full Circle Chronic Disease Program — $97,200 and $96,000, respectively, to improve access to care. The two groups will use the funds to help people with mental and chronic illnesses. Kaiser Permanente distributed a total of $1.1 million grants to 40 Sacramento groups to address health care and violence. Sacramento Business Journal.
Calif. Physicians To Start Posting Contact Details for Medical Board
Physicians in California will have until June 27 to begin providing patients with contact information for the Medical Board of California. The new regulation aims to make it easier for consumers to report complaints to the medical board about quality of care lapses or physician misconduct. HealthLeaders Media.
Columnist Calls for Regulation of Long-Term Care Insurance
Though Americans are being encouraged to purchase long-term care insurance, the market is akin to the “Wild West,” with its complicated pricing and marketing structures, Los Angeles Times columnist Michael Hiltzik writes. Noting examples where consumers have been subject to high rate increases, Hiltzik calls for more to be “done to keep millions of Americans from being scammed.” Los Angeles Times.
Plans for Mental Crisis Center in Ventura Move Forward
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted 4-1 to move forward with plans to convert the Hillmont House, currently a long-term mental health facility, into a short-term crisis center. Officials believe the plan will save money by providing a facility for those with mental health problems who normally end up in county hospitals or jails. Ventura County Star.
Report: State Medical Boards Might Be Under-Disciplining Physicians
A new Public Citizen report finds that the number of serious disciplinary actions against physicians rose slightly last year, but remains significantly lower than five years ago. The report also ranked state medical boards by average rate of disciplinary action. HealthLeaders Media.
Nurses Group Fighting Sutter’s Plan To Close San Leandro Hospital
The California Nurses Association is supporting an effort by the Eden Township Healthcare District to stop Sutter Health from closing San Leandro Hospital. Sutter said it does not plan to use its excess revenue to keep the facility open. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
Candidates Eye Service Cuts for Undocumented Residents
Republican gubernatorial candidates Meg Whitman and Steve Poizner both have discussed plans to curb spending by reducing state services for undocumented immigrants. Officials estimate that Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, will spend about $1.3 billion this fiscal year on care for undocumented residents. Sacramento Bee.