Latest California Healthline Stories
FDA Expands Investigation of CT Radiation Exposure Cases
FDA has expanded its investigation of possible radiation overdoses from CT brain scans to include two more California hospitals and one in Alabama. In October, FDA launched an investigation into 206 possible cases of radiation overdose at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. FDA said it is looking into at least 50 more possible cases at Cedars Sinai and the two other California hospitals, including Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank. Los Angeles Times, Reuters.
Dental Coverage Not Playing Central Role in Reform Debate
Statistics indicate that about 86 million adults and 26 million children do not have dental coverage, but the issue has not garnered much attention in the health care reform debate in Congress. A panel of dental professors discuss the state of access to dental care in the Los Angeles area and nationwide. KPCC’s “Air Talk.”
California Health Care Personnel News Update for November 2009
UC-San Diego Medical Center has tapped the university’s associate vice chancellor, Thomas Jackiewicz, to serve as CEO. Meanwhile, Gov. Schwarzenegger has announced appointments to the California Department of Veterans Affairs and other state agencies. Stockton Record et al.
Alameda, Contra Costa Counties To Target Disparities
Some communities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties have significantly higher rates of asthma, cancer and heart disease than neighboring communities, according to data compiled by the Alameda County Public Health Department. As a result, health leaders from the two counties have begun seeking to address problems that can compromise residents’ health, including pollution, lack of access to healthy foods and economic stresses. Contra Costa Times.
Editorial: Price Quote Law Is Indicator of Need for Change
A survey that found that most California hospitals do not comply with a law that requires them to provide price quotes upon request is “yet another reminder of how desperately the system needs to change,” an editorial argues. The survey “reminded us yet again of the predicament of the uninsured,” who often do not know the cost of care until they receive the bill. The editorial states that two of the “most critical” solutions are to “get as close to universal coverage as possible and move from fee-for-service to integrated care.” Sacramento Bee.
Unfit Nurses Getting Work via Unregulated Temp Agencies
A recent investigation by the Los Angeles Times and ProPublica found that California does little to regulate its nursing staffing agencies. Many such firms supply problem nurses to hospitals without first conducting screenings or background checks. Los Angeles Times.
13 California Facilities Make Leapfrog’s List for Country’s Top Hospitals
The Leapfrog Group recently ranked 11 California medical centers among the country’s top urban hospitals and two California facilities among the top pediatric centers. The survey evaluated hospitals on various patient safety and quality measures. San Francisco Business Times et al.
Senate Continues To Work on Health Care Reform Over Weekend
During a rare weekend session, the Senate voted on GOP-led proposals aimed at stripping from the bill more than $118 billion in proposed cuts to Medicare Advantage, eliminating a plan for a long-term care insurance program and restoring proposed cuts to home health care agencies. Los Angeles Times et al.
Group of Senate Democrats Eye Public Health Plan Alternative
A group of 10 Senate Democrats are working to find a compromise on a public insurance plan option to include in the chamber’s health care reform legislation. The leading proposal calls for the federal Office of Personnel Management to negotiate the terms of a public plan with private insurers and contract with not-for-profit groups to run the program. New York Times et al.
Surgeon General Calls for More Minority Physicians
On Thursday during a speech in Atlanta, U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin called for better efforts at increasing the number of minority physicians in the country. Benjamin noted that data from 2004 indicated that 6% of U.S. physicians are minorities, which is the same percentage as 100 years ago. Benjamin encouraged members of the audience to encourage young minorities to pursue careers in medicine. AP/USA Today.