Latest California Healthline Stories
UCSF Wins $25 Million Grant for New Stem Cell Center
Officials at UC-San Francisco plan to announce today a $25 million donation from the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation for UCSF’s new stem cell research center. The foundation has contributed $20 million for a stem cell research facility at UCLA and $25 million for USC’s stem cell research center. San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Business Times.
Residency Program at San Joaquin General Hospital Under Review
The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors is evaluating the program as it studies options for dealing with the hospital’s ongoing financial problems. A hospital administrator says the program improves efficiency at the hospital, but a report notes that the program is not self sustaining. Stockton Record.
California Eligibility Rules for Pre-, Post-Natal Care Unconstitutional
A 1991 California law requires pregnant women whose incomes exceed Medi-Cal eligibility rules to live in the state for six months before they can qualify for a program that provides pre- and post-natal health care. A San Francisco Superior Court judge overturned the law Tuesday. San Francisco Chronicle.
Study Links Hospitalizations to Lapses in Medi-Cal Coverage
A study in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that Medi-Cal beneficiaries who experienced lapses in health care coverage were substantially more likely to be hospitalized for chronic conditions than beneficiaries whose coverage was not interrupted. The lead author of the study said that it raised questions about the cost-efficacy of increased eligibility checks. New York Times, CQ HealthBeat.
Consideration of S.F. Budget Cuts Delayed Until 2009
On Tuesday, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved delaying consideration of cuts that board President Aaron Peskin proposed to avoid deeper cuts to health care programs. The board will take up the budget proposals after new supervisors take office on Jan. 8. San Francisco Chronicle.
California Officials Kick Off Effort on Toxic Chemicals
On Tuesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger endorsed key principles for a new state effort aimed at increasing oversight of products that include toxic chemicals that could affect human health. Sacramento Bee et al.
L.A. County Moves To Boost Oversight of Health Agency
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to begin accepting applications from independent contractors to serve as a watchdog for the county Department of Health Services. The move is sparked by problems at the county-operated Martin Luther King Jr.-Harbor Hospital. AP/San Jose Mercury News.
Republican Budget Plan Next Up After Proposal by Democrats Fails
The California Assembly is scheduled to vote on Republican legislators’ budget plan today, after a Democratic proposal did not win sufficient support. The Republican plan seeks to reallocate funds for mental health services and children’s health and education efforts. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Health Insurers Work To Encourage Members To Join Reform Talks
Insurers are urging employees and satisfied health plan members to participate in community meetings and house parties focused on health care reform. The transition team of President-elect Barack Obama is using the forums to collect feedback on the health care system. New York Times.
Obama Team Considers Options on Conscience Rule
The transition team for President-elect Barack Obama is studying ways to reverse a Bush administration rule that would let health care personnel refuse to participate in abortions or other medical procedures that they object to on moral grounds. The Bush administration is expected to finalize the rule this week. Wall Street Journal.