Latest California Healthline Stories
American Medical Association Votes To Study Repatriation
The American Medical Association approved a study to consider the financial, legal and medical issues involved in hospitals’ repatriation of undocumented immigrants without health insurance. Last month, the California Medical Association voted to oppose the practice. New York Times.
Ventura County Gets Grant for Homeless Health Program
On Monday, Rep. Lois Capps announced that the Ventura County Health Care Agency has received a $245,000 HHS grant for its Healthcare for the Homeless Project. Under the program, physicians and nurse practitioners treat homeless individuals at no cost. Ventura County Star.
Advocacy Groups Push Obama To Tackle Health Care Early On
The Business Roundtable, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, AARP and the Service Employees International Union are set to spend $1 million on an ad campaign urging President-elect Barack Obama to take action on health care in the first 100 days of his administration. The groups argue that addressing health care is part of larger efforts to shore up the economy. Los Angeles Times, NPR’s “All Things Considered.”
California Congressman Says Health Care High on Priority List for 2009
As chair of a key House subcommittee, California Democrat Pete Stark says that expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and reworking the Medicare payment formula for physicians will be among his panel’s early priorities next year. CQ HealthBeat, CongressDaily.
Documented Immigrants Face Barriers in Health Care, Other Professions
People who were trained as doctors, nurses or other professions in other countries often face hurdles obtaining the needed credentials to work in those fields when they immigrate to the U.S. California is home to about one-fourth of the nation’s documented skilled immigrants. Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles County Hospitals Overcrowded, Underfunded
Fourteen Los Angeles County hospitals with emergency departments closed last year, leaving fewer than 100 hospitals to serve nearly 10 million people. The county’s remaining hospitals are overcrowded and underfunded, and the situation is expected to get worse. Los Angeles Business Journal.
CDC Finds 90% Increase in New Adult Cases of Diabetes
The rate of adults diagnosed with new cases of diabetes has increased more than 90% in the last decade, according to CDC. In California, the rate of new diabetes cases increased from nearly seven in every 1,000 patients between 1995 and 1997 to nine in every 1,000 patients between 2005 and 2007, according to CDC. Riverside Press-Enterprise, KQED’s “Forum.”
San Francisco-Area Doctors Optimistic About Heart Test
San Francisco-area physicians say that a simple, low-cost blood test could help determine individuals’ risk of heart disease and stroke. A new study released this week at a scientific meeting of the American Heart Association found that the test is effective even among individuals who appear to be in good health. San Francisco Chronicle, KPCC’s “Air Talk.”
California Officials Fight Order in L.A. Civil Case on Policy Rescissions
California officials are trying to block L.A. City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo from deposing an Anthem Blue Cross official over the insurer’s negotiations with the state over rescinded policies. Delgadillo is pursuing civil charges against several insurers that settled with the state. Los Angeles Daily Journal.
Outpatient Medicaid Services Reduced Under New Rule
In a notice published Friday in the Federal Register, the Bush administration narrowed the scope of outpatient services covered under Medicaid. Public hospitals and state officials criticized the new rule, which conflicts with efforts by Congressional lawmakers and governors to boost federal Medicaid aid to states as part of a new economic action plan. New York Times.