Latest California Healthline Stories
Ventura County Disputes ‘Medically Underserved’ Data
Nearly one-third of Ventura County residents live in an area that the federal government calls “medically underserved,” meaning the communities face a shortage of primary care physicians, as well as other problems, such as high infant mortality and high poverty levels. However, Ventura County health officials argue that federal data overstate the problem because of the way the information was collected. Ventura County Star.
California Regulators Issue First Fines Under New Medical Privacy Law
California officials fined a Kaiser hospital $250,000 for not doing enough to stop employees from improperly accessing the medical records of a woman who delivered octuplets at the hospital this year. The fines come under a new state law that took effect Jan. 1. Los Angeles Times et al.
Industry Groups Say Obama Overstated Plan to Control Health Costs
Earlier this week, President Obama said that major health care industry groups had committed to help reduce health care cost increases by $2 trillion over 10 years, but some groups are now saying that the president overstated their agreement. Administration officials denied the assertion. New York Times et al.
Opinion Piece Stresses Importance of Paid Sick Days
In an opinion piece, Ellen Wu, executive director of the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, and Rajiv Bhatia, co-author of the 2008 health impact assessment of California’s proposed Paid Sick Days law, argue that “[g]uranteeing paid sick days to workers is an important step toward preventing spread of illness and promoting health.” San Francisco Chronicle.
San Joaquin County To Be Home to New VA Clinic
On Thursday, Rep. Jerry McNerney announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs plans to build an expanded outpatient clinic and nursing home for veterans in San Joaquin County. Building and staffing the new clinic will create 900 new jobs in the county. Oakland Tribune, Stockton Record.
State Voters Mull Budget-Related Ballot Measures
Voters are mixed on two ballot measures in Tuesday’s special election that would redirect funding allocated for mental health and child development programs to address the state’s budget deficit. Supporters say the measures are necessary to fix the state’s budget, while opponents argue that the ballot measures would hurt programs that ultimately save the state money. Stockton Record, KPCC’s “News.”
Sacramento Officials Warn Against Proposed Budget Cuts
On Thursday, social service officials told Sacramento County supervisors that proposed cuts to their departments would lead to more untreated disease, more individuals with mental illnesses in jail and more unchecked abuse. County officials are working to try to close a project $180 million general fund shortfall. Sacramento Bee.
DNC Unit Gears Up for Public Fight Over Health Care Reform Efforts
A unit of the Democratic National Committee is soliciting donations from supporters of President Obama’s election campaign to set up a campaign-style effort to push for health care reform. Meanwhile, Obama told a crowd in New Mexico that a single-payer option is not under consideration. Washington Times et al.
Teenage Birth Rates Down in California, Orange County
On Monday, California Department of Public Health Director Mark Horton announced that the teenage birth rate in California has declined by 49% since 1991. Orange County’s teenage birth rate is even lower than the statewide average, according to department data. Orange County Register’s “Healthy Living.”
Governor’s Budget Plans Hit Health Care Programs Hard
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s proposals to deal with the state budget deficit include billions of dollars in cuts to health and human services programs. Provisions of the federal economic stimulus package would require the state to seek a federal waiver before it could adopt some proposed cuts to Medi-Cal. Los Angeles Times et al.