Latest California Healthline Stories
UCLA Faced With Questions After Transplant to Gangsters
Family members of patients and attorneys are questioning UCLA Medical Center’s decision to perform a liver transplant on several reputed members of a Japanese organized crime syndicate, especially when many other patients were ahead of them on the transplant wait list. UCLA said it is in compliance with all transplant rules. CBS’ “60 Minutes.”
U.S. Health Care Reform Could Leave Implementation to States
States might need to shoulder much of the burden of implementing health care system changes if Congress passes national health care reform legislation. Current reform proposals call for states to make decisions about expanding Medicaid, regulating insurance companies and whether to participate in a federal public health insurance plan. Washington Post et al.
House Leaders Setting Stage for Action on Reform Bill This Week
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is poised to bring health care reform legislation to the floor today, and a vote could be held as soon as Thursday. There likely will be little opportunity for debate or amendments, but Republicans could put forward an alternative proposal. The Hill et al.
Shortage of Funds Could Put Mentally Ill Housing at Risk
Although there currently is an influx of recent housing projects for people with mental health issues and disabilities, a dearth of upcoming funding could result in a shortage of such housing. The funding comes from Proposition 63, state bond funds and investor tax credits. Revenue from all three has declined as of late. Ventura County Star.
Monterey County Health Dept. Launches EHR System
The Monterey County Health Department’s behavioral health division is believed to be the first such department in the state to launch a fully integrated electronic health records system. The EHR program allows users to access health records, bill Medi-Cal and write prescriptions electronically. Salinas Californian.
Harbor-UCLA To Launch First Patient Navigator Program
Los Angeles County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center will launch California’s first-ever patient navigator program, which is intended to help people, especially those who do not speak English, coordinate care for themselves. The program, which is free to participants, is being funded by a $10 million grant from drugmaker AstraZeneca and will be implemented by the American Cancer Society, which runs similar programs at 23 hospitals nationwide. Torrance Daily Breeze.
California Shifts Strategy for Doling Out H1N1 Flu Vaccine
On Thursday, California officials indicated that they are now prioritizing county health departments’ orders for the H1N1 influenza vaccine after bottlenecks in the manufacturing system caused shortages of the vaccine. Meanwhile, county public health officials and Mark Horton, the state public health officer, shared their thoughts on the vaccine distribution. San Jose Mercury News, KQED’s “California Report.”
California Health Care Personnel News Update for October 2009
UC-Riverside has tapped G. Richard Olds to serve as founding dean and vice chancellor of health affairs for the institution’s future medical school. Meanwhile, the J. David Gladstone Institutes has named Robert “Sandy” Williams president.
California, Other States Sue Drugmaker Amgen Over Alleged Kickbacks
Last week, California joined 14 other states in suing the drugmaker Amgen for allegedly offering illegal physician incentives to boost sales of its anemia drug Aranesp. Meanwhile, recent studies suggest that the drug might have serious safety problems. Los Angeles Times et al.
Obama Aims To Boost Support for Reform in White House Meetings
At separate events yesterday, President Obama met with small-business owners and members of progressive House groups in hopes of building support for health care reform. Businesses are concerned about an employer mandate, and liberals want a farther-reaching public option. Washington Times et al.