Latest California Healthline Stories
Primary Care Physicians Face High Costs, Low Earnings
Relatively low income, increasing overhead costs and overwhelming patient loads are driving many veteran primary care doctors to retire early and medical students to seek better-paying specialties. Los Angeles Times.
Majority of Participating Union Members Favor Consolidation Plan
More than 85% of voting Service Employees International Union members favor reorganizing three local unions and creating a single union for long-term care workers in California. Fewer than 8% of eligible members participated in the vote. Sacramento Business Journal, Los Angeles Times.
Blue Shield Foundation Announces $5.8M in Grants
On Thursday, the Blue Shield of California Foundation announced that it is awarding $5.8 million in Q4 grants to 25 not-for-profit groups statewide. The grants are designed to increase access to health care and coverage, boost health care quality and help curb domestic violence in the state, according to officials. San Francisco Business Times.
California Hospital News Roundup for the Week of December 12, 2008
Natividad Medical Center’s board of trustees signed off on an amended merger plan with the Monterey County Health Department. Meanwhile, Sharp HealthCare officials have said they will close a skilled nursing facility in Point Loma by April 2009.
Los Angeles Study Shows ZIP Code Can Affect Health
A yearlong study released yesterday found that where people live in Los Angeles is a big predictor of their health. The “South LA Health Equity Scorecard” compares the west and the south regions of Los Angeles on 50 environmental factors known to affect health. Contra Costa Times.
Health Care Careers Top Survey of Young Californians Job Choices
Almost half of respondents to a new survey said that health care careers likely would offer competitive pay and benefits in the current economy. The survey focused on fields that require two-year degrees or licensing programs. San Francisco Chronicle, Capital Public Radio’s “KXJZ News.”
State Institute Awards Stem Cell Research Funding
On Wednesday, California’s stem cell agency awarded a new round of research grants ranging from $700,000 to $1.1 million each. Eight stem cell research grants were awarded to academic researchers, while six commercial operators received stem cell grants. San Diego Union-Tribune.
State Budget Cuts Jeopardize Coverage for More Than 1M People
New research from Families USA projects that more than one million people could lose health care benefits as a result of state cuts to Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Programs. Reductions to provider payments are the most common cuts. Reuters et al.
Health Care Playing Bigger Role in Economic Stimulus Package
Congressional Democrats and President-elect Barack Obama are building the case for increased federal spending on health care as part of an economic stimulus package. State Medicaid programs and health information technology are among the programs being considered for funding increases. Washington Post et al.
State Awards $1.5M To Improve Medical Training
Thirteen California colleges and universities will share a $1.5 million state grant to improve family nurse practitioner and physician assistant training programs. The grant was administered through the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development’s Song-Brown program. Sacramento Business Journal.