Latest California Healthline Stories
Children’s Hospital Bond Winning Voter Support
A new field poll released on Monday found that voters who are aware of Proposition 3 — which would authorize $980 million in bonds to cover renovation, expansion and new equipment at eight private and five University of California Children’s Hospitals — are most likely to favor it. However, just 18% of those surveyed said they had heard about the measure. Sacramento Bee.
Modesto Area Abuzz Over Potential Impact of New Kaiser Hospital
Kaiser Modesto Medical Center will open to Kaiser members in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties tomorrow. Stakeholders in the area are debating how Kaiser’s expanded presence will affect health care labor costs, health insurance premiums and emergency care. Modesto Bee.
Study Sees Increase in Medicaid Enrollment as U.S. Economy Worsens
An annual survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation indicates that enrollment in state Medicaid programs increased over the past year and that state spending on Medicaid also has increased. National averages do not include data from California because of the state budget delay. Stateline.org et al.
90% of Nursing Homes Cited for Health, Safety Violations Last Year
HHS’ Office of Inspector General reported that more than nine in 10 nursing homes were faulted for violations of federal health and safety rules in 2007. The most common citations were related to quality of care issues, such as preventing bed sores and urinary tract infections. New York Times et al.
UCLA Staff Weigh Hopes for Post Election Reform
In interviews with the radio program “Marketplace,” some physicians and nurses at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center say they would like to see universal health care under the next president but are skeptical of chances for reform. CEO David Feinberg would like a focus on preventive care. American Public Media’s “Marketplace.”
Editorial Urges Governor To Sign Rescissions Legislation
An editorial urges Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign a bill that would charge the Department of Managed Health Care or the Department of Insurance with reviewing health insurers’ health plan rescissions. Los Angeles Times.
New Laws Take Aim at Chemicals’ Health Effects
On Monday, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed two bills — AB 1879 and SB 509 — aimed at tightening state regulation of industrial chemicals that have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption or other harmful health care conditions. Los Angeles Times et al.
Ruling Expected in Challenge to S.F. Tobacco Restrictions
A San Francisco judge will decide today whether to uphold a city law that would ban pharmacies from selling tobacco. Pharmacy chain Walgreen and tobacco maker Philip Morris have challenged the law, set to take effect on Wednesday. NPR’s “Morning Edition.”
More Employers Sending Workers Overseas for Medical Treatments
The number of companies sending workers abroad for health care services is still small, but the number is growing, especially as more companies are being hit with high health care costs. Critics of medical tourism still harbor concerns about the quality of care abroad and risks associated with travel. Wall Street Journal.
Bill To Rework Parts of California Stem Cell Agency Vetoed
In his veto message, Gov. Schwarzenegger wrote that the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine already is achieving the goals laid out in Proposition 71, the 2004 ballot initiative that created the agency to oversee state funding for stem cell research. The bill aimed to tighten rules on affordability of treatments and let the agency fund adult stem cell research. San Francisco Business Times.