Latest California Healthline Stories
Medicare Stops Paying for Some Preventable Medical Errors
Beginning today, Medicare will stop paying hospitals for additional care resulting from 10 “reasonably preventable” errors. The new policy is not expected to result in major cost savings but could help place greater emphasis on prevention and chronic disease management. New York Times.
San Mateo County Chooses AMR for Ambulance Service
On Tuesday, the San Mateo County board of supervisors voted 5-0 to select American Medical Response as its ambulance services provider. The board said it believed AMR’s large cash flow and low debt make it more likely to remain financially stable during the country’s economic troubles. Media News.
Scripps Institute Gets $30M Grant for AIDS Research
On Tuesday, the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla received a $30 million grant to establish the world’s first center focused on the “neutralizing antibody” approach to developing an AIDS vaccine. The project is funded by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. San Diego Union Tribune.
Foundations Award Grants To Boost Nursing Education
The Foundation for California Community Colleges and the Kaiser Permanente Fund for Health Education have awarded six grants of up to $50,000 each to partnerships between two-year community college nursing programs and four-year university programs. The grants are aimed at improving nursing education. East Bay Business Times.
Appeals Court Upholds San Francisco’s Universal Health Care Program
Rejecting challenges by restaurant owners and the Bush administration, a federal appeals court unanimously ruled that San Francisco’s universal health care program, Healthy San Francisco, does not violate federal law. The ruling overturns a lower court decision. San Francisco Chronicle et al.
Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation To Protect Patient Privacy
The two bills will create a hospital privacy oversight office and increase fines on hospitals and employees for breaching patient confidentiality. The measures are in response to alleged medical privacy breaches at UCLA Medical Center. Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Daily News.
San Francisco Ban on Pharmacy Tobacco Sales Will Move Forward
On Tuesday, a judge ruled a ban on cigarette sales in San Francisco pharmacies may begin today as planned, denying a request by Walgreen to stop the law. The company said it will appeal the decision. AP/Sacramento Bee, San Jose Mercury News.
Governor Signs Bill Requiring Restaurant Calorie Disclosure
On Tuesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation requiring chain restaurants in the state to display calorie information for each menu item. The new state law is the first of its kind in the country. San Jose Mercury News et al.
Governor Vetoes Rescissions Bill, Other Health Care Measures
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called the practice of health plan rescissions “deplorable” but said he vetoed a measure that would have addressed the issue because it lacked several consumer protections. The governor also vetoed a bill that would have created a state-run, single-payer health care system and a measure designed to prevent the practice of balance billing. AP/Sacramento Bee et al.
Governor Signs Bill Targeting Kids Affected by Violence
On Monday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill that would authorize the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board to reimburse up to $5,000 for outpatient mental health counseling for minors who witnessed a violent crime. San Francisco Chronicle.